Lyr. Add: GEORGIE SAILS TOMORROW
Henry C. Work, 1870

1
For sixteen years a merry, laughing maiden,
I have warbl's only songs of joy;
And in this heart, so very lightly laden,
Happy thoughts have ever found employ.
But times will change! and now there comes sorrow,
Which bids me ev'ry joy resign.
Refrain
My Georgie sails for China seas tomorrow,
And he knows not yet that he is mine-
My Georgie sails for China seas tomorrow,
And he knows not yet that he is mine-
2
How should he know? 'twas from a dream awaking,
When they told me he and I must part;
For not until the tie was nearly breaking,
Had I felt its tendrils on my heart.
These lips are seal'd- I cannot tell my sorrow,
And hope must die without a sign.
3
Oh, who can tell the fearful scenes of danger,
And the hardships Georgie dear must know!
On stormy seas, in foreign lands a stranger,
Oh, I cannot, cannot let him go!
My heart will break! where shall I patience borrow,
For months thro' which I can but pine?
4
The last farewell- that solemn word is spoken,
And my spirit trembles with its thrill;
His manly tones, by deep emotion broken,
In my inmost soul are ringing still.
But strange, wild joy is mingled with my sorrow,
And smiles among my tear-drops shine.
Refrain
My Georgie sails for China seas tomorrow,
But he knows- he knows that he is mine.
My Georgie sails for China Seas tomorrow,
But he knows-he knows that he is mine.

Henry C. Work, "Complete Songs and Choruses," edited B. R. Tubb; book with scores available from pdinfo.com; midis at www.pdmusic.org.