Lyr Req: When You Were Sweet Sixteen (J Thornton)

08 Feb 01 - 07:02 PM (#393605)
Subject: When you were sweet sixteen
From: cujimmy

Can anyone give me the full song - not just the short version the furies sing. And the history of the song.

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08 Feb 01 - 07:38 PM (#393633)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When you were sweet sixteen
From: vindelis

All I know is that it was around in the early 1900's, because my Grandmother said that her mother used to sing it to her when she was young. (Nanny Norah was born in 1905).

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08 Feb 01 - 07:53 PM (#393644)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When you were sweet sixteen
From: Brakn

Previous Thread

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08 Feb 01 - 08:20 PM (#393667)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When you were sweet sixteen
From: SINSULL

Joan Morris has recorded this either on her "Vaudeville" or "After The Ball" lbum. Ususally available on Ebay or from her website (wife of William Bolscom)

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08 Feb 01 - 08:33 PM (#393679)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When you were sweet sixteen
From: Jimmy C

" The song was written by James Thornton for his wife Bonny. He had apparently not been a very good husband to her. Everytime she threatened to leave him he always gave her flowers and candy etc. After a 4 or 5 day drunk he knew that flowers woud not do it so he tried to express his feelings for her on paper and the result was " Sweet Sixteen"."
It was recorded by a number of people, but Jolson made it a big hit. unfortunately Thornton did not live long enough to hear his words being sung all over the country.
I have an old live recording of Jolson in concert singing it and the above is how he introduced the song.

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08 Feb 01 - 08:35 PM (#393682)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When you were sweet sixteen
From: Malcolm Douglas

You might like to have a look at the 1898 sheet music at The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music:

When You Were Sweet Sixteen.  Words & Music by James Thornton.  New York: M. Witmark & Sons, Witmark Building, 1898.

Malcolm

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08 Feb 01 - 10:53 PM (#393772)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When you were sweet sixteen
From: DougR

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08 Feb 01 - 10:54 PM (#393773)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When you were sweet sixteen
From: DougR

Perry Como also had a very big hit with this song in the late 1940s.

DougR

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10 Feb 01 - 08:04 AM (#394884)
Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN YOU WERE SWEET SIXTEEN (J Thornton)
From: Tiger

Well, might as well post the words. I do this one from time to time. I have a couple of interesting recordings, one by Bob Crosby with an unknown vocalist. The better one is by Josef Locke.

From The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music:

WHEN YOU WERE SWEET SIXTEEN
Words and Music by James Thornton
"Sung With Great Success By Bonnie Thornton. Also Sung With Success By Raymon Moore."
New York: M. Witmark & Sons, 1898.

1. When first I saw the love-light in your eye,
And heard thy voice like sweetest melody,
Speak words of love to my enraptur'd soul,
The world had naught but joy in store for me,
E'en though we're drifting down life's stream apart,
Your face I still can see in dream's domain:
I know that it would ease my breaking heart
To hold you in my arms just once again.

CHORUS: I love you as I never lov'd before,
Since first I met you on the village green.
Come to me, or my dream of love is o'er.
I love you as I lov'd you
When you were sweet, when you were sweet sixteen.

2. Last night I dreamt I held your hand in mine,
And once again you were my happy bride.
I kiss'd you as I did in Auld Lang Syne,
As to the church we wander'd side by side.
The love I bear for you can never die:
Without you I had rather not been born:
And, even tho' we never meet again,
I love you as the sunshine loves the morn. CHORUS

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14 Apr 15 - 09:45 AM (#3701759)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When You Were Sweet Sixteen (J Thornton)
From: GUEST,Peter H

Thank you for this ..... I really love this original version , a little more difficult to sing but it's great !
Thank you for posting it 🎼🎸
Peter

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14 Apr 15 - 11:33 AM (#3701790)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When You Were Sweet Sixteen (J Thornton)
From: Brakn

Harry MacDonough singing it in 1901.

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