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Lyr Req: Long time ago

23 Dec 00 - 03:05 PM (#362354)
Subject: Long time ago
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)

Old American song used by Aaron Copland. Long time ago repeated several times and used as title in the CD I have. Lyrics would be appreciated. Thanks.


23 Dec 00 - 03:35 PM (#362362)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long time ago
From: Malcolm Douglas

See this earlier discussion:  'Long Time Ago'  (found via the "Digitrad and Forum Search" facility on the main Forum page).

Malcolm


23 Dec 00 - 07:55 PM (#362475)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long time ago
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)

Thanks, Malcolm. You started me on an afternoon's work. Searching around, I found that the lyrics were written by George Pope Morris, 1802-1864. He also wrote that old terror of by-gone grade school recitation, Woodman, spare that tree! Through etext.lib.virginia.edu, I obtained a 3rd verse not given by vissjoy (01-May-99-09:28 PM), left out of the Copland arrangement. In the 2nd verse, Pope's original, substitute dove-eyes for blue eyes. Third verse, oh, sob!- Mingled were our hearts forever,/ Long time ago! Can I now forget her? Never!/ No, lost one, No! To her grave these tears are given,/ Ever to flow, She's the star I missed from Heaven,/ Long time ago! Because the song was used by M. T. Rice in an "Ethiopian Opera," some have mistakenly attributed a Negro origin to the song.