Historic Sheet Music Collection

Document Type

Score

Publication Date

1800

Comments

Say, What Shall my Song be Tonight

Music by Joseph Philip Knight

Words by W. H. Bellamy

Kentucky: Peters Webb & Co. (1800)

Some of these resources may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials should be seen in the context of the time period and as a reflection of attitudes of the time. The items are part of the historical record, and do not represent the views of the library or the institution.

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Say what shall my song be to night?
And the strain at your bidding shall flow
shall the measure be sportive and light,
Or its murmurs be mournful and low?
Shall the days that are gone, flit before thee?
The freshness of childhood come o’er thee?
Shall the past, yield it’s smiles and it’s tears?
Or, the future, it’s hopes and it’s fears?

[Chorus] Say, what shall my song be to night?
And the stain at your bidding shall flow;
Shall the measure be sportive and light?
Or it’s murmurs be mournful and low?
Say, say oh!
Say, what shall my song be tonight?

[Verse 2] There are times, when the heart will refuse,
On the past and its pleasure to dwell;
There are moments, which mem’ry imbues
With a gloom which she cannot dispel:
But the charm that enthralls them, is broken,
With the first word of song that is spoken;
For there is not a feeling, or tone,
In the heart, but, to music ‘tis known.

[Chorus]

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