Gentle Annie

"Gentle Annie" was probably written for Stephen Foster's cousin, Annie Evans, who died shortly before the song was composed. The tune of the song is based on an Irish melody.

Date: 1856Composer: Stephen FosterText: Stephen Foster

Print vitals & song text

Text

Gentle Annie
by Stephen Foster

Thou wilt come no more, gentle Annie,
Like a flower thy spirit did depart;
Thou are gone, alas! like the many
That have bloomed in the summer of my heart.

Chorus:
Shall we never more behold thee;
Never hear thy winning voice again
When the Spring time comes, gentle Annie,
When the wild flowers are scattered o’er the plain?

We have roamed and loved mid the bowers
When thy downy cheeks were in their bloom;
Now I stand alone mid the flowers
While they mingle their perfumes o’er thy tomb.

Chorus

Ah! the hours grow sad while I ponder
Near the silent spot where thou are laid,
And my heart bows down when I wander
By the streams and the meadows were we strayed.

Chorus

Videos

Sheet Music

Songs of Stephen Foster

Composer(s): Stephen Foster

Buy via Hal Leonard

Stephen Foster Song Book (Dover Edition)

Composer(s): Stephen Foster

Buy via Amazon

Support us and help us grow

Dear friends, Thank you for helping us build a comprehensive online archive of American song. Your gift is greatly appreciated.