If I Were King

"If I Were King" is a song by Louis Campbell-Tipton setting a poem by Irish author and politician Justin Huntley McCarthy.

Composer: Louis Campbell-TiptonText: Justin Huntly McCarthy

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Text

If I Were King
by Justin Huntley McCarthy

If I were king–ah love, if I were king!
What tributary nations would I bring
To stoop before your sceptre and to swear
Allegiance to your lips and eyes and hair.
Beneath your feet what treasures I would fling:–
The stars should be your pearls upon a string,
The world a ruby for your finger ring,
And you should have the sun and moon to wear
If I were king.

Let these wild dreams and wilder words take wing,
Deep in the woods I hear a shepherd sing
A simple ballad to a sylvan air,
Of love that ever finds your face more fair
I could not give you any godlier thing
If I were king.

Sheet Music

"If I Were King"

Composer(s): Louis Campbell-Tipton

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