LoHouse, Thanks so much for requesting this song. I fell in love with it from hearing the Burl Ives "Wayfaring Stranger" album back about 1960, and I had totally forgotten about it. So good to have it back again!

Bill D., That's the way I remember the Burl Ives lyrics, too (only I recall him singing "whilst," instead of "while.")

Subject: RE: Lyric Req: The Nightingale From: GUEST Date: 17-Mar-02 - 12:31 PM

Dave Oesterreich, You wrote, "In my late teens and early 20s I was, as I saw it, outstandingly unsuccessful with the girls, and was full of self-pity. I couldn't sing this song without tears." When I first learned the song, I could have been a female counterpart to your story. I even switched the genders in the song (e.g., ... don't you think, dearest Philip, ...") when I sang it (only for my own enjoyment, never for an audience). Only, for me, singing the song made me smile or laugh (...It's a shame that a lovely young maiden like me should be left whilst the nightingale sings in the tree...)! It tended to lift me out of my self pity, rather than intensify it.

I've gotta do this song at Singtime Frolics this weekend!

Genie §;-)

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