Historic Sheet Music Collection

Authors

Henry Russell

Document Type

Score

Publication Date

1841

Comments

The Old Night Lamp
A Ballad
As sung with great applause by Henry Russell
Composed and arranged for the piano forte
& respectfully dedicated to Mrs. Berry, by Henry Russell

Published by Henry Prentiss 33 Court Street
Where may be had (just published) by the same Composer
The Old Watermill The Old Sexton
Natures Fine Old Gentlemen Total S'iety &c.

Some of the 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 libraries or the institution.

Lyrics

Oh scorn me not as a fameless thing
Nor turn with contempt from the song I sing
'Tis true I am not suffer'd to be
On the ringing board of wassail glee
My pallid gleam must never fall
In the gay saloon or lordly hall
But many a tale does the night lamp know
Of secret sorrow and lonely woe
I'm found in the closely curtain'd room
Where a stillness reigns that breaths of the tomb
Where the breaking heart and heavy eye
Are waiting to see a lov'd one die
Where the doating child with noiseless tread
Steals warily to the mother's bed
I'm wildly snatch'd and my glimring ray
Shows a glazing eye and stiffning clay

I am the light that quivering flits
In the joyous home where the fond wife sits
Waiting the one that flies his hearth
For the gamblers dice and drunkards mirth
She mournfully trims my slender wick
And many a time has my spark expired
And left her still the weeping and tired

Many a lesson the bosom learns
Of hapless grief while the night lamp burns
Many a scene unfolds to me
That the heart would bleed to see
Then scorn me not as a fameless thing
Nor with contempt from the song I sing
But smile as ye will or scorn as ye may
There's nought to be found but truth in the lay

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