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The Inebriate's Lament

Song performed by: Matthew Cummins and Jameela Huq (vocals) and Tara Dirst (piano). Recording engineer: Matt Dotson.

1. Where are the friends that to me were so dear?
Long, long ago — long, long ago.
Where are the hopes that my heart used to cheer?
Long, long ago — long ago.
Friends that I loved, in the grave are laid low;
Hopes that I cherished are fled from me now;
I am degraded, for Rum was my foe;
Long, long ago — long ago.

2. Sadly my wife bowed her beautiful head,
Long, long ago — long, long ago.
Oh, how I wept when I knew she was dead!
Long, long ago — long ago.
She was my angel, my love and my guide;
Vainly to save me from ruin she tried;
Poor broken heart! it was well that she died,
Long, long ago — long ago.

3. Let me look back to the days of my youth
Long, long ago — long, long ago.
I was no stranger to virtue and truth,
Long, long ago — long ago.
Oh, for the hopes that were pure as the day!
Oh for the loves that were purer than they!
Oh, for the manhood I squandered away!
Long, long ago — long ago.


©2005 Illinois During the Gilded Age Digitization Project.