Digital Tradition Mirror

Farewell, Dear Love

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Farewell, Dear Love

Farewell, dear love, since thou wilt needs be gone
Mine eyes do show my life is almost gone
Nay, I will never die so long as I can spy.
     There be many mo'tho' that she do go
     There be many mo' I fear not
Why then let her go, I care not.

Farewell, farewell, since this I find is true
I will not spend more time in wooing you.
But I will seek elsewhere If I may find love there
     Shall I bid her go? What and if I do?
     Shall I bid her go and spare not?
     Oh no no no, I dare not.

Ten thousand times farewell; yet stay awhile
Sweet, kiss me once; sweet kisses time beguile.
I have no pow'r  to move. How now am I in love?
     Wilt thou needs begone? Go then, all is one
     Wilt thou needs begone? Oh hie thee!
     Nay, stay, and do no more deny me.

Once more adieu, I see loath to depart
Bids oft adieu to her that holds my heart.
But seeing I must lose thy love, which I did choose,
     Go thy way for me since that may not be.
     Go, thy ways for me. But whither?
     Go, of but where I may come thither.

What shall I do? My love is now departed
She is as fair as she is cruel-hearted.
But seeing I must lose thy love with prayers oft repeated
     If she come no more, shall I die therefore?
     If she come no more, what care I?
     Faith, let her go, or come, or tarry!


From Songs From Shakespeare's Plays, Kines
Note: In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Act II Scene 3
     Tune published in Jones "First Book of Songs and Ayres", 1600

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!