“Sweet Genevieve”
Description
The singer would "give the world to live again the lovely past" with Genevieve. They are older now, but he still loves her and wishes to be with her always: "O Genevieve, Sweet Genevieve... Still the hands of mem'ry weave... Blissful dreams of long ago"
Supplemental text
Sweet Genevieve
Complete text(s)
*** A ***
From sheet music published 1869 by Wm. A. Pond & Co.
Title page inscribed
To my excellent friends and pupil,
John C. Meacham,
New York.
Sweet Genevieve
Song and Chorus
Words by
GEORGE COOPER
MUSIC BY
HENRY TUCKER
1. O, Genevieve I'd give the world
To live again the lovely past!
The rose of youth was dew-impearled;
But now it withers in the blast.
I see thy face in ev'ry dream,
My waking thoughts are full of thee;
Thy glance is in the starry beam
That falls along the Summer Sea.
CHORUS.
O, Genevieve, sweet Genevieve,
The days may come, the days may go,
But still the hands of mem'ry weave
The blissful dreams of long ago.
2. Fair Genevieve, my early love,
The years but make thee dearer far!
My heart shall never, never rove:
Thou art my only guiding star.
For me the past has no regret
Whate'er the years my bring to me;
I bless the hour when first we met,
The hour that gave me love and thee!
O, Genevieve!
Notes
Genevieve is reported to be the real-life bride of George Cooper who died shortly after their marriage. However, since no one can find the records of this marriage, this may be the usual sort of sentimental folklore. - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "Silver Threads among the Gold" (theme)
- cf. "When You and I Were Young, Maggie" (theme)
References
- RJackson-19CPop, pp. 202-205, "Sweet Genevieve" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Geller-Famous, pp. 11-13, "Sweet Genevieve" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Silber-FSWB, p. 259, "Sweet Genevieve" (1 text)
- Fuld-WFM, p. 543, "Sweet Genevieve"
- DT, OGENVIEV
- ST RK19202 (Full)
- Roud #13643
- BI, RK19202