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by Mary Bynon Reese

Lizzie dies to‑night
Language: English 
'Twas hard, our parting, mother dear, 
It gave you untold pain; 
But hope was strong within our hearts 
That we should meet again. 

There's health upon my cheek once more, 
And in my eye new light 
'Twill all be quench in Ocean's gloom, 
For Lizzie dies tonight! 

Lizzie dies tonight, mother, Lizzie dies tonight. 

I've been so happy, mother dear, 
When brightest summer smiled, 
The friends who love me far away 
Have guarded well your child; 

They've brought me almost back again 
To you and home's delight 
But I will never see you more, 
For Lizzie dies tonight! 

Lizzie dies tonight, mother, Lizzie dies tonight. 

I'm thinking, mother, of the time 
When little Willie died, 
We laid him down with bursting hearts, 
My father's tomb beside. 

'Twas then you feared my tender form 
Would vanish from the light, 
But ah! my grave is 'neath the wave, 
For Lizzie dies tonight! 

Lizzie dies tonight, mother, Lizzie dies tonight. 

I know you're dreaming, mother dear, 
Of all these dangers passed; 
Perhaps you'll never know how hard 
Death came to me at last. 

I'm almost in your arms again, 
God make your burden light! 
I never more can cheer your heart, 
For Lizzie dies tonight! 

Lizzie dies tonight, mother, Lizzie dies tonight. 

Text Authorship:

  • by Mary Bynon Reese  [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

  • by Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864), "Lizzie dies to-night", published 1861. [voice and piano] [
     text verified 1 time
    ]

Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2015-12-26
Line count: 36
Word count: 209

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