American Old Time Song Lyrics: 38 Why Do I Love You
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 38
WHY DO I LOVE YOU?
Copyright, 1892, by W. Schmiel.
Music by W. C. Schrader.
Why do I love you, my sunny-eyed darling?
Why do the flowers still look to the sun?
Why does the lily close up its sweet petals
When the earth sleepeth and daylight is done?
Why do the stars, on the brow of the ev'ning.
Burn the more brightly the darker the night?
Why do we see more beauty in heaven
When the day fadeth and gone is the light!
Why do I love thee, O lips of red, ripeness?
Why do I love thee, O heart of rare gold?
Ask me no longer, my darling, my treasure:
Love, such as mine is, may never be told.
Only I love thee, my heart telleth to me;
Wherefore I love thee, I know not, nor cure;
'Tis not the charm of thy blue eyes of beauty,
'Tis not the sheen in the gold of thy hair.
Ask me of all of the secret things bidden,
I may not answer, my darling, my own;
Love cometh to us as free and unbidden;
Whither it cometh is just as unknown.
Just as unknown as why stars love the heaven.
Why shuts the lily cop, just as unknown;
This is the all I may whisper thee, dearest:
Only I love thee, my darling, my own.