American Old Time Song Lyrics: 05 I Was Despised Because I Was Poor

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 5

I was Despised Because I was Poor.

Farewell, false girl, I leave you in sorrow and in pain;
My absence cannot grieve you, soon you'll bear a stranger's name;
I'm forsaken for another, one with gold in store-
Then farewell, father and mother-I'm despised for being poor.

We have lived and loved from childhood, and vowed we ne'er would part,
Pass'd many hours in the wild wood, but she has nearly broke my heart;
There came a wealthy stranger, just from a foreign shore-
He woo'd, and soon he gained her from me-for I was poor

When wed, the bells were chiming, as the carriage it pass'd by,
The lads and lasses smiling-but a tear bedim'd her eye;
Farewell, vain girl, the ocean will part us evermore-
I loved you with devotion, but was scorned for being poor.

I shall never more behold her, nor hear her sweet voice again
I've enlisted for a soldier, to die on the battle plain;
May sorrow ne'er distress her. but happiness in store ;
And yet, loving, I will bless her-though despised for being poor.