American Old Time Song Lyrics: 50 She Forgets And She Forgives

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 50

She Forgets and She Forgives.
Copyright, 1894, by Chas. W. Held.
Words and Music by Monroe H. Rosenfeld.

In an humble cottage dwelling lies a woman, pale and fair:
She has loved with pure devotion one who had no love to share.
Hark I let's listen what she's saying: "Oh, I loved him fond and true,
And alas! I thought him faithful, but another he did woo."
Will she curse him now she's dying, with a short time but to live!
Not she lifts her hands above her, not to curse, but to forgive.

Chorus.
She forgets and she forgives him, ev'ry sorrow she outlives: _
Noble woman, pare and gentle, she forgets and she forgives.

Visions come and fade before me: see you man in tattered clothes:
He's been seeking work since daybreak, how he lives, oh, heaven knows.
Tears ago 'mid wealth And plenty, be was trusted and revered,
Till one day the tempter lured him: then he fled and disappeared.
In a moment rash he yielded, sinned and signed another's name;
To the law his father left him, but his mother bore his shame.

* Chorus.
She forgets and she forgives him, ev'ry sorrow she outlives;
Noble mother, sweet and tender, she forgets and she forgives.

In a quiet homestead sitting is a woman with her child.
Hark! it is her husband's footsteps; welcome greets him unbeguiled.
But with drink, alas he's reeling, from his lips the curses flow:
See! he strikes her; "God, have mercy!" She lies crippled 'neath the blow.
'Twas a jealous passion thrilled him, and he flees without regret;
He, the brute, and she, the angel, and her tears are falling yet.

Chorus.
She forgets and she forgives him, ev'ry sorrow she outlives;
Faithful wife, so sweet and gentle, she forgets and she forgives.