A WW1 farewell ballad from 1918.
Words by Raymond B. Egan.
Music by Richard A. Whiting.
As soldiers departed for WW1, many were parting with sweethearts. The simplicity of this little waltz and its lyrics were appealing during such a difficult time. It contains hopeful ideas to ponder while apart.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
- There’s a song in the land of the lily
Each sweetheart has heard with a sigh
Over high garden walls this sweet echo falls
As a soldier boy whispers goodbye
Chorus
Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu
When the clouds roll by I’ll come to you
Then the skies will seem more blue
Down in lovers lane my dearie
Wedding bells will ring so merrily
Every tear will be a memory
So wait and pray each night for me
Till we meet again
- Though goodbye means the birth of a teardrop
Hello means the birth of a smile
And the smile will erase the tear blighting trace
When we meet in the after-a-while
Sung here by Fred Feild: