American Old Time Song Lyrics: 36 Thou Canst Not Forget
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 36
THOU CAN'ST NOT FORGET.
Copyright, 1898, by Willis Woodward & Co.
Words by Anon. Music by J. J. Nolan.
Thou can'st not forget me, for memory will fling
Her light o'er oblivion's dark sea;
And wherever thou roamest, a something will cling
To that bosom that whispers of me.
Though the chords of thy spirit I never may sweep,
Of my touch they'll retain a soft thrill;
Like the low undertone of the murmuring deep,
When the wind that assails it is still.
Chorus.
Thou can'st not forget me, for memory will fling
Her light o'er oblivion's dark sea;
And wherever thou roamest, a something will cling
To thy bosom that whispers of me.
The love that is kept in the beauty of trust
Cannot pass like the foam from the sea;
Or a mark that the finger hath made in the dust
When 'tis swept by the breath of the breeze.
They tell me, my love, thou wilt calmly resign,
Yet I ever, while listening to them,
Shall sigh for the heart that was linked unto mine,
As a rosebud is linked to its stem.- Chorus.
Thou can'st not forget me, the passion that dwelt
In thy bosom will slumbering lie;
In the memory of all thou hast murmured and said,
The thought of me never will die.
Thou mayest turn to another And wish to forget,
But the wish will not bring the repose;
For, oh! thou wilt find that the thorns of regret
Were but hid by the leaves of the rose.-Chorus.