Historic Sheet Music Collection

Document Type

Score

Publication Date

1914

Comments

MacIntosh Collection

New York: M. Witmark & Sons (1914)

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]

Within the shadow of my room
An old melodeon idly stands,
A relic of my dear old home
Long years ago in distant lands.
Its iv’ry keys are turning brown,
But ‘round it tender mem’ries cling;
And with its sweetest tones have flown
Those songs my mother used to sing:

[Refrain]
Oh, “Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,” Is a song that she oft’ sang to me,
And the “Last Rose of Summer”
Still breathes a fragrant melody.
“Ah! Do you remember, sweet Alice, Ben Bolt?”
From out the golden past those sweet notes ring, Tonight I hear those dear old songs again,
Those songs my mother used to sing.

[Verse 2]
Its frame is falling to decay,
The music from its soul has fled,
And those dear hands that used to play,
Like autumn leaves, lie still and dead.
I see her dear form sitting there
Sometimes, when fancy takes its wing;
And then, with tear-dimm’d eyes, I hear
Those songs my mother used to sing:

[Chorus]
Come back to Erin, Mavourneen, Mavourneen; Tenderly of Ireland’s Isle she sang,
And of Bonnie Annie Laurie,
That oft’ thro’ dear old Scotland’s mountains rang.
Ah! Way down upon the Swanee River,
What happiness those misty mem’ries bring,
Tonight I hear those dear old songs again,
Those songs my mother used to sing.

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