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Farewell to May

Ah I must leave our lady's altar

Tune: [Oh! must I leave our Lady's altar]
Published in 6 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Oh, must I leave our Lady's altar,
Where oft I've found such sweet delight?
My sad adieux must I now falter,
Must joys so pure now wing their flight?

Chorus:
Farewell, sweet month, sweet month of flow'rs.
Farewell, lov'd shrine, thou dear retreat;
But ere have fled these happy hours.
My heart I'll leave at Mary's feet.
Farewell, farewell.

2 How sweet to sing my Mother's praises,
And breathe to her my loving sighs!
So fondly on me then she gazes,
So softly beam her star-like eyes. [Chorus]

3 Ah! while my love to thee I'm singing,
To die this hour would be so sweet,
Like those spring flowers, perfumes flinging,
That bloom and languish at thy feet? [Chorus]

Source: Laudis Corona: the new Sunday school hymn book, containing a collection of Catholic hymns, arranged for the principal seasons and festivals of the year #84

Text Information

First Line: Ah I must leave our lady's altar
Title: Farewell to May
Refrain First Line: Farewell sweet month, sweet month of flowers
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 6 of 6)
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American Catholic Hymnal #160

Hymns, Carols and Chants for the Sunday School Children of St. Ignatius' Church #d4

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Laudis Corona #84

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May Blossoms, a collection of hymns to the Blessed Virgin #33

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Sunday School Hymn Book #138

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