Turn Back the Universe and Give Me Yesterday

Authors

Ernest R. Ball
J. Keirn Brennan

Document Type

Score

Publication Date

1916

Comments

Words by J. Keirn Brennan

Music by Ernest R. Ball

Writers of: "A Little Bit of Heaven", Good Bye, Good Luck, God Bless You", "If it takes a Thousand Years", "In the Garden of the Gods", "Ireland is Ireland to Me", etc.

M. Witmark & Sons, Publishers, New York, Chicago, London

50 Cents

Copyright MCMXVI, by M. Witmark & Sons, International Copyright Secured

“Some of these resources may contain offensive stereotypes. Such materials should be seen in the context of the time period and as a reflection of the 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
It seems so long ago,
Although ‘twas only yesterday,
When just a word in anger heard
Our lives should part for aye.
With faith so strong we thought no wrong
Could tear our heartstrings then;
What would I give could I but live
The days that might have been!

REFRAIN
Turn back the universe and give me yesterday;
Unclasp the hands of time that hold life’s golden ray.
Take back that bitter hour when our love passed away,
Turn back the universe and give me yesterday!

VERSE 2
My soul I’d give to live
The happy days beyond recall,
When you were near and to you, dear,
I gave my love, my all.

A perfect past too good to last,
Is all I dream of now,
I hope and wait and trust to fate
To bring you back somehow!

REFRAIN

Recommended Citation

Ball, Ernest R. and Brennan, J. Keirn, "Turn Back the Universe and Give Me Yesterday" (1916). Historic Sheet Music Collection. 1699.
https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/sheetmusic/1699