Lyrics:
I Cannot Sing The Old Songs [Version (a)]:
I cannot sing the old songs I sung long years ago
For heart and voice would fail me and foolish tears would flow
For bygone hours come over my heart with each familiar strain
I cannot sing the old songs or dream those dreams again
I cannot sing the old songs, their charm is sad and deep
Their melodies would waken old sorrows from their sleep
And though all unforgotten still and sadly sweet they be
I cannot sing the old songs, they are too dear to me
I cannot sing the old songs for visions come again
Of golden dreams departed and years of weary pain
Perhaps when earthly fetters shall have set my spirit free
My voice may know the old songs for all eternity
I cannot sing the old songs I sung long years ago
For heart and voice would fail me and foolish tears would flow
For bygone hours come over my heart with each familiar strain
I cannot sing the old songs or dream those dreams again
I cannot sing the old songs, their charm is sad and deep
Their melodies would waken old sorrows from their sleep
And though all unforgotten still and sadly sweet they be
I cannot sing the old songs, they are too dear to me
I cannot sing the old songs for visions come again
Of golden dreams departed and years of weary pain
Perhaps when earthly fetters shall have set my spirit free
My voice may know the old songs for all eternity
The Song:
In order for it to feel more authentic, Beck filled out his Song Reader book with a number of song fragments and melodies, and even fictional album collections and made-up song titles. "I Cannot Sing The Old Songs" is listed as part of the Male Quartette Collection, the greatest book ever compiled.
Many of the song titles on the back of "Saint Dude," like this one, are references to older sheet music/songs. "I Cannot Sing The Old Songs" is a song from 1868 by C.A. Barnard (also known as Claribel).
In order for it to feel more authentic, Beck filled out his Song Reader book with a number of song fragments and melodies, and even fictional album collections and made-up song titles. "I Cannot Sing The Old Songs" is listed as part of the Male Quartette Collection, the greatest book ever compiled.
Many of the song titles on the back of "Saint Dude," like this one, are references to older sheet music/songs. "I Cannot Sing The Old Songs" is a song from 1868 by C.A. Barnard (also known as Claribel).