Lorraine Lee(Bennett) and Rick Lee recorded a song to that famous tune which I believe they said that they got from the Ritchie family.

"My Dearest Dear"

The time has come my dearest dear
When you and I must part
But you'll never know the tears and woe
Of my poor troubled heart.

My dearest dear now dry your tears
For I hate to see you cry
The best of friends must oft times part
And now it's you and I.

Don't you remember that starry night
When you gave to me your hand
And swore that if ever you married were
That I would be the man

Oh I remember that starry night
when I gave my hand to you
And I would gladly have been your bride
If you had but proven true.

Take back those cruel words my love
I can't from you depart
And can't you see my dearest dear
YOu are breaking my poor heart

When I am dead and in my grave
And you stand a mourning here
The birds will sing on every tree
You are my dearest dear.


I have enjoyed singing this for many years now. Lorraine ^^