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25 Dec 08 - 09:37 PM (#2524726) Subject: Lyr Add: We Never Speak as We Pass By From: Q (Frank Staplin) WE NEVER SPEAK AS WE PASS BY Composed by Frank Egerton, 1882 Various arrangers. 1 The spell is past, the dream is o'er, And tho' we meet, we love no more, One heart is crush'd to droop and die, And for relief must heav'nward fly, The once bright smile has faded and gone, And given way, to looks forlorn! Despite her grandeur's wicked flame, She stoops to blush beneath her shame. Chorus: We never speak as we pass by, Altho' a tear bedims her eye; I know she thinks of her past life, When we were loving man and wife. 2 In guileless youth, I sought her side, And she became my virtuous bride, Our lot was peace, so fair and bright, One summer day, no gloomy night, No life on earth more pure than ours, In that dear home midst field and flow'rs Until the tempter came to Nell, It dazzled her, alas! she fell. 3 In gilded hall, midst wealth she dwells, How her heart aches, her sad face falls, She fain would smile, seem bright and gay, But conscience steals her peace away, And when the flatt'rer casts aside, My fallen and dishonored bride, I'll close her eyes in death, forgive, And in my heart her name shall live. Sung by Gus Williams at Ford's Theatre, Baltimore. Copy at Enoch Pratt Free Library, P. J. Dennis, 1882, broadside. Original music not seen. The song immediately became popular and many arrangements were drawn up, all using the same lyrics but not crediting the author. The following sheet music at American Memory: 1. Song and Chorus arranged by C. D. Blake, sung by Hagues Operatic Minstrels, White, Smith & Co., 1882; 1883 2. Song and Chorus arranged by Henry Harmon, National Music Co., 1883 3. Song and Chorus arranged by Berthold Marks, John Church & Co., 1883 4. Song and Chorus arranged by Launce Knight, Oliver Ditson & Co., 1883 5. Song and Chorus arranged by Harry L. Johnson, Geo. W. Richardson, 1884 6. Song and Chorus arranged by Jacob L. Sawyer, Evans & Brother, 1882 7. Song and Chorus arranged by F. Thomas, S. T. Gordon and Son, 1883 8. Song and Chorus arranged by James Carleton, Spear and Dehnhoff, 1882. Others? Words and music also included in "Songs of the Sunny South,' 1929, pp. 170-171, songs selected by Albert E. Wier. D. Appleton and Co., NY & London. No attribution. No. 27, "Whole World" Series. |