Thomas Haynes Bayly

Tell me the tales that to me were so dear,
Long, long ago, long, long ago.

Tell me the tales that to me were so dear,
Long, long ago, long, long ago.

The mistletoe hung in the castle hall,
The holly branch shone on the old oak wall.

The mistletoe hung in the castle hall,
The holly branch shone on the old oak wall.

O pilot! 'tis a fearful night,
There's danger on the deep.

O pilot! 'tis a fearful night,
There's danger on the deep.

Oh! no! we never mention her,
Her name is never heard;
My lips are now forbid to read more

Oh! no! we never mention her,
Her name is never heard;
My lips are now forbid to speak
That once familiar word.
- Thomas Haynes Bayly,

I've now got the music book ready,
Do sit up and sing like a lady
A recitative read more

I've now got the music book ready,
Do sit up and sing like a lady
A recitative from Tancredi,
And something from "Palpiti!"
Sing forte when first you begin it,
Piano the very next minute,
They'll cry "What expression there's in it!"
Don't sing English ballads to me!