I Loved You Better Than You Knew is a song by Johnny Carroll in 1893 and the first recording was just three years later by Goerge Gaskin on Ber 925. In 1895 "I Love You Yet" was written as "An Answer to Johnnie Carroll's Beautiful & Popular Song I Loved You Better Than You Knew."

Here's the Carters 1930 version:

I LOVED YOU BETTER THAN YOU KNEW- Carter Family

Our hands are clasped, alas, forever
Perhaps we'll never meet again
I love you like I love no other
This parting fills my heart with pain

    As through this weary world I wander
    My thoughts alone will be of you
    In memory will I see you ever
    I loved you better than you knew
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

You ask and freely I'll forgive you
The happy past I must forget
And while I wander alone in silence
I hope that you'll be happy yet

    As through this weary world I wander
    My thoughts alone will be of you
    In memory will I see you ever
    I loved you better than you knew
    [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Perhaps when I am gone forever
You'll sometimes sit and think of me
And wonder if I'm dead or living
Perhaps I'll think the same of you

    As through this weary world I wander
    My thoughts alone will be of you
    In memory will I see you ever
    I loved you better than you knew