The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #46123   Message #686151
Posted By: Jim Dixon
09-Apr-02 - 10:49 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: old lullabies
Subject: Lyr Add: ONLY ME (Ford & Bratton, 1894)
Transcribed from the sheet music at the Levy site, and edited a bit:

ONLY ME [Published 1894.]

NOTE. "The Story told in this little song is of a Mother who lavished all her maternal caresses upon one favorite child, while the other she treated with indifference. The childish expression "It's Only Me," made a deeper impression on the Author, than a masterpiece of grammatical construction could possibly have done."

Words by Walter H. Ford. Music by John W. Bratton,

A mother of fashion was being arrayed
By her dainty French maid, Babette.
Her two little girls in the nursery played,
But one was her darling, her pet.
A sound from the room caused the mother to cry,
"Was that you, my dear Marie?"
The answer came back 'twixt a sob and a sigh:
"No, Mamma. It's only me."

CHO: "Only me, only me," sobbed in a weary tone,
Wrung from an innocent baby's heart, that felt so much alone!
One got the kisses and kindly words. That was her pet, Marie!
One told her troubles to bees and birds. That one was "only me!"

Close to a white cot on a bright summer day,
The mother's heart wakened at last.
The life of her baby was ebbing away.
The tears of repentance fell fast.
"Now don't you cry, mamma dear. You needn't care.
It isn't your dear Marie.
And maybe the Angels will [have?] love [to] spare,
A little for only me." CHO.