Lyr Req: If You Love Me, Leave Me

Subject: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From:
Date: 30 Nov 00 - 08:35 PM

I have a friend in her eighties whose mother sang a song to her which dates back to the early 1900's. She remembers part of it as follows; One night a faithless husband unto a maiden said, now Bess you know I married and I hate the one I wed. For with her I'm unhappy and you're unhappy too. Let's break the cruel barrier that keeps my love from you.

The maiden turned away with a sigh, if you love me leave say goodbye and go. Although the parting grieves me, it is the better so.

I would appreciate learning the name and all the lyrics of this song, so I could give them to this fine lady.

Thanks, Len

Subject: RE: Help: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From: Gypsy
Date: 30 Nov 00 - 09:50 PM

Len, will check out Bronsons...sounds like a derivitive of a Child ballad to me. Next time around, just enter the fragment you remember...you'll get alot more people at your thread than a mystery title. Will get back soon

Subject: RE: Help: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From: Snuffy
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 08:24 AM

Sounds more like high Victorian "improving literature" to me. You might find something at the Levy sheet music site

Subject: RE: Help: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 08:42 AM

very good hint, Snuffy, it is in that collection:

Box 141, Item 83, title: If you love me, leave me,

first line as above

IF YOU LOVE ME LEAVE ME! at The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music.

Wolfgang (I'll E-mail Len

Subject: Lyr Add: IF YOU LOVE ME, LEAVE ME (M Hosenfeld)
From: MMario
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 09:03 AM

for those curious about the words...

IF YOU LOVE ME, LEAVE ME
(Monroe Hosenfeld)

One night a faithless husband unto a maiden said
"You know, Bess, tho' I'm married, I hate the one I've wed,
For with her I'm unhappy - and you're unhappy too--
Let's break the cruel fetter that keep me, love, from you
We've always loved each other, and if the word you'll say,
By Break of dawn tomorrow we'll both be miles away.
Then we could be so happy, my darling, you and I,"
But she turned quickly from him and murmured with a sigh;

chorus:If you love me, leave me, do not be untrue
I will gladly wait, Jack, years and years for you
But don't be unfaithful, She's your wife, you know
If you love me, leave me, Say goodbye and go!

"You know, Jack" said the maiden, "that she is still your wife
And tho' I love you dearly, I could not blight her life:
Perhaps you'll learn to love her, OH! promise you'll go back,
For I could never wrong her, so please don't tempt me, Jack."
"Ah, Bess don't be so cruel" the faithless husband cried
"I'd gladly leave her darling, if you will be my bride;
And then we'd be so happy, so happy, you and I,"
But she again turned from him and answered with a sigh:

chorus

Subject: RE: Help: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From: Noreen
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 11:14 AM

hmmmmmm.....

Subject: RE: Help: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From: Catrin
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 03:25 PM

hmmmmmmmmmmmm hmmmmmmmmmmm

Subject: RE: Help: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From: Gypsy
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 11:05 PM

Nice concept!

Subject: RE: Help: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From: MMario
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 09:13 AM

yeah - bit of a switch from the more traditional "dump her, I'll be better for you" scenario.

Subject: RE: Help: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From: Gypsy
Date: 02 Dec 00 - 11:03 PM

Thats right! I like this scenario much better.

Subject: RE: Help: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From: Noreen
Date: 03 Dec 00 - 01:22 PM

Yes, but have you been there?

Subject: RE: Help: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 06:57 AM

I think that you'd like to know that the information was gratefully received. Len wrote me (Wolfgang) this mail:

Thanks to you I was able to make my friend and her sister very happy today, by giving them the song their Mother used to sing to them. One lady even sang it at the breakfast table. We thank you for your kind and considerate help. Len

Subject: RE: Help: Does anyone know the name and lyrics?
From:
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 12:02 PM

All the verses to Michael Finnigan