I’ll be your sweetheart

AKA Bluebells I’ve gathered
First Published 1899
Writer/composer Harry Dacre Roud RN13465

Music Hall Performers Lil Hawthorne
Folk performances Collected from the singing of:
Jarvis, Walter; England : Essex ; 1964/5
Mills, Billy; England : Yorkshire; 1970
Poacher, Cyril; England : Suffolk; 1975
Ellaway, Arthur; England : Gloucestershire; 1977
Johnson, John; England : Sussex; no date		 

One day I saw two lovers in a garden
A little lad and lass with golden hair
They looked as sweet as honey in a beehive
And so I stood and watched the youthful pair
The lad, all blushing, gave the maid a kiss
Then tenderly he whispered this,

I'll be you sweetheart, if you will be mine
All my life, I'll be your Valentine
Bluebells I've gathered, keep them and be true
When I'm a man my plan will be to marry you.

The bluebells were accepted by the maiden
She said, “I'll keep them safely all my life
But then suppose you meet some other lady
And I should never be your darling wife?”
He shook his head and took another kiss
Then once again he whispered this,

The years flew by and once again I saw them
They stood before the alter hand in hand
A handsome pair I never shall forget them
The happiest young couple in the land
Then once again he took the loving kiss
Then passionately whispered this,

At the turn of the century Harry Dacre followed the hugely popular Daisy Bell (A bicycle built for two) with this song – which had similar success throughout the English speaking world. In the British Halls it was most often associated with Lil Hawthorne.

This sentimental song, set to a memorable lilting waltz, was collected from a number of traditional singers in the 2nd half of the 20th century and is still widely sung today. It became a common feature in the repertoire of barbershop singers.

Sources: