verse

When first I saw the lovelight in your eye,

And heard thy voice, like sweetest melody,

Speak words of love to my enraptur'd soul,

The world held 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 loved before

Since first I saw you on the village green,

Come to me, or my dream of love is o'er,

I love you as I loved you

When you were sweet,

When you were sweet sixteen.



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Words and music by James Thornton

Originally published 1898, copyright imprint 1899.

Now in public domain