Once I Loved You- Mrs. L.L. McDowell c. 1890s
[This song usually titled, "Broken Engagement" or "We Have Met," has been collected by Belden, Henry, Brown and Randolph. It is one of the "True Lover's Farewell" songs.
R. Matteson 2014]
ONCE I LOVED YOU
We have met and we have parted
We have said our last good-bye
But you proved to be false-hearted,
And I must forever go.
(Refrain )
Once I loved you, dearly loved you
More than all this world, I know
Yet, you proved to be false-hearted
And I must forever go.
Go, not to and win another,
Pray make her your lawful bride
Tell her that you dearly love her,
And that love will conquer pride.
Oh, then when you win her heart love
Oh, then cast a thought of me;
Think of one you loved in secret,
One who would have died for thee.
I shall send you back your letters,
And the picture I loved so well,
And henceforth we'll meet as strangers
But I can not say farewell.
(Remembered by Mrs. L. L. McDowell from her youth.)