Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms

Lyrics by Thomas Moore.
This is an Irish Song of the early 1800s. The melody had been used earlier for the poem My Lodging it is in the Cold Ground (whose words were also associated with another tune by Locke). It was first printed in 1737 in London, but is probably much older. There was also a set of Scottish lyrics I Lo'ed Ne'er a Laddie But Ane . In 1808 Thomas Moore wrote the lyrics that are popular today. Wait a minute...it's in English!

1.
Believe me if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy gifts, fading away.
Thou wouldst still be adored as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart,
Would entwine itself verdantly still.

2.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear,
That the fervor and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear.
Oh, the heart that has truly loved ne'er forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close,
As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets,
The same look which she gave when he rose.

3.
Believe me if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy gifts, fading away.
Thou wouldst still be adored as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart,
Would entwine itself verdantly still.

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This is not intended for wider publication or larger distribution.
Updated on Fri, Sep 19, 2003
© 2003 TechnoCelt Productions in association with The Celtic Arts Center / An Claidheamh Soluis. All rights reserved.