Saturday, September 22, 2012

At the Music Hall: Dacre's "I'll be your Sweetheart," 1899

I’ll be your sweetheart
If you will be mine
All my life
I’ll be your valentine
Bluebells I’ll gather
Keep them and be true
When I’m a man, my plan
Will be to marry you


One day I saw two lovers in a garden
A little boy and girl with golden hair
At first I thought of asking for their pardon
With second thoughts I watched the youthful pair
The boy, all blushing, gave the maid a kiss
And tenderly he whispered this


I’ll be your sweetheart
If you will be mine
All my life
I’ll be your valentine
Bluebells I’ll gather
Keep them and be true
When I’m a man, my plan
Will be to marry you


I’ll be your sweetheart
If you will be mine
All my life
I’ll be your valentine
Bluebells I’ll gather
Keep them and be true
When I’m a man, my plan
Will be to marry you



From the man who brought us “Bicycle Built for Two” (Daisy Bell)—Mr. Harry Dacre (also known as Frank Dem or Henry Decker, 1860-1922), we have this popular song from 1899. Based on a similar romantic theme, the song relies on Dacre’s innocent account of young love.



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