The Broken Heart- Robinson 1899
[This is a parlor song from the 1800s usually titled "Broken Engagement." Recorded in 1926 by Kelly Harrell, its authorship and the date and place of its origin have not been discovered. It's been collected in North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri.
R. Matteson 2014]
THE BROKEN HEART
1. They were standing by the window,
And the night wind kissed her cheek.
As he waited long in silence,
Waited long for her to speak.
And at last she murmured sadly
As she raised her tearful eyes
With a look so full of sadness
That it filled him with surprise.
2. "I have summoned you, my darling,
So that you may tell me all
Though our vows, by angels written,
Are forever past, recall.
Do not turn your face away, dear,
It is best, that we should part
For those years of love are broken
That were round around your heart.
3. "For they say you love another,
That you never have loved me;
If those cruel words be true, dear,
I'll forever set you free."
"It is true," he answered hoarsely,
"But by yonder stars above,
To deceive I never intended
When I told you of my love."
4 . Then from out her blue eyes a tear shed
All love's tender misty light,
Her small hands were clasped in passion
And her face grew cold and white.
"It's enough," she cried in anguish,
"'Stained no more your guilted soul,
May Oblivion's silent waters
Evermore between us roll."
5. Then she paused with eyes uplifted,
Gazed upon his face so fair;
It was imprinted upon her memory,
Dark blue eyes and raven hair.
"I'll return each little missive
You have written in the past,
But the burning we had within them
May will haunt me till the last."
6. May your heart be always happy,
Though my own shall ache with pain;
When you meet me as a stranger,
Pass me by in proud disdain.
I have loved you
More than all this world best d,e :
E'er I met you, false and faithless,
Would to God that I had died."
7. "Do not think that I'll forget you,
No, I'll love you just as now;
Till my hands in death are folded
And the dew lies o'er my brow.
Fare you well," she added gently
As she seized his out-stretched hand:
Covered it with burning kisses,
Saying, "God will understand".
8. Suddenly her sobs grew fainter;
Lower bent, her golden head;
And her little hands were folded,
And her gentle spirit fled.
God in mercy sent an angel
To return her from her care,
For He knew that night of anguish
Was far more than she could bear.
Sung, and the words afterward written, for L.L.McDowell about the year 1899, in a boat at night on the Caney Fork by a young man named James Robinson; who held it in memory, both words and music. Fifth and seventh stanzas furnished by Earl Keaton)