From the opera “Martha”, 1847
Words and music by Fr. Von Flotow
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Ah so pure, ah so bright
Burst her beauty on my sight
Oh so mild, so divine
She beguiled this heart of mine
‘Reft of aim, ‘fore she came
Dark the future seemed to loom
Till her clear brilliant sphere
New with light dispelled the Gloom
Woe! She fled quickly
Sped all my joy in fleeting gleams
As I wake, hopes forsake
Robbing me of God-like dreams
Of God-like dreams
Ah so pure, ah so bright
Burst her beauty on my sight
Oh so mild, so divine
She beguiled this heart of mine
Martha, Martha, thou hast taken
Every bliss away with thee
Oh canst thou leave me thus forsaken?
Come and share thy boon with me
Share! Share thy boon with me
Yea, with me
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: