Poems (Hoffman)/Song: Because I Love Her So
SONG—BECAUSE I LOVE HER SO
Because I love her soI wander through these leafy walks alone,Drawn are the dewy draperies of Dusk,A shower of fragrance by the wind is thrown,The heart-throbs of a mighty surging throngBeat in one breast and wreathe themselves in song,A song of swords that clash, of foes that meet,The right so bitter and the wrong so sweet.
Chorus Because I love her so To win her scorn I go And she will never know It was because I loved her so.
For well, too well I knowThat she will turn from me with strange alarm,She will not see my duty or my loveThat draws her back from present happinessMy love's fond arm of strong unselfishness,Alas! I cannot hope that she will know'Tis only just because I loved her so!
Chorus Because I love her so, etc.,
Because I love her soHow can I warn her of her danger near,The danger that so like a blessing seemsAnd oh, her love is dear! Dearer than you can guess,But is it dearer than her happiness?My heart beats fast, my laggard feet move slowBecause I love her so.
Chorus Because I love her so, etc.,
Because I love her soA broader love than narrow selfishness,A higher and a deeper love I see,Her love for me, her present happinessWeigh these against her life's abiding good,The welfare of her high sweet womanhoodOutweighs them both; with beating heart I goTo win her hate because I love her so.
Chorus Because I love her so, etc.,
Perhaps sometime, somewhere,I shall see how I have been brave and strong,I, who so strangely weak and faltering seem,And sweet shall be the songOf Love's sweet sacrifice, of Love's returnWhen from the records angels keep we learn—To have been true and self-forgetful provedWas better and sweeter than to have been loved.
Chorus Because I love her so, etc.,