American Old Time Song Lyrics: 28 Twelve Months Ago To Night

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 28

Twelve Months Ago To-Night.
Copyright, 1889, by Harding Brothers.
Words by J. F. Mitchell. Music by Will H. Fox.

Twelve months ago this very night 'midst loving friends I sat,
And 'round the board went laughter, jest and song;
We thought not Of the future, for there lived in every heart
The present of a manhood pure and strong;
We drank to wives and sweethearts and to friends across the sea,
For everything was rosy-hued and bright;
Not a shadow of a sorrow came between us and our joys,
In our happiness twelve months ago to-night.

Chorus.
Then where are the boys who vowed eternal friendship?
Good-natured fellows, with spirits gay and bright;
Where are the ones who sang the songs of gladness.
And spent an hour in Paradise twelve months ago to-night?

Twelve months ago this very night in friendship's name we met
To taste the sparkling essence of the vine;
We toasted lovely woman for her purity and worth,
And wished that she were never less divine;
And-oh, the pleasant stories, the laughter and the wit,
That woke the sleeping echoes of delight.
As we shook hands with each other, And we sang of "Auld Lang Syne,"
When we parted friends twelve months ago to-night.

Refrain.
One little year has told its tale, for men will ever roam.
Some of them lie in foreign lands, while others sleep at home;
But still my heart goes buck again, in sorrow and delight,
To friends I had and joys I knew twelve months ago to-night.