American Old Time Song Lyrics: 59 Can You Forgive Me

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 59

CAN YOU FORGIVE ME?
Copyright. 1897. by Consolidated Music Pub. Ass'n.
Words by Maurice Shapiro. Music by S. Furth.

All alone within a church, an organist did play,
Rehearsing tunes so sacred, new hymns for Christmas day,
But somehow there was sadness, as the music then rang out,
The echoes seemed repeating in a pleading way cloud,
Can you not forgive her, the one you once loved best,
Can you not forget it, and grant her one request,
For before him lay a letter, from her who did repent,
And in melody he told the words of the message she had sent:

Chorus.
Can you forgive me, can you forget,
I loved you dearly; yes, I love you yet.
Though I have wronged you, caused you pain untold.
Can you forgive me, and love me as of old?

His head sank on the keyboard, the tears were falling fast,
He thought of wife and baby, a vision of the past,
For she one day had left him, brought disgrace upon his name.
Destroyed the home he cherished, until repentance came,
Can you not forgive me, a voice rang out so wild,
Can you not have pity, upon me and our child?
For at the church door stood his wife, she'd heard the sad refrain.
On joyous cry, clasped to his breast, she did not plead in vain.-Chorus.