The Dawn Was Grey: lyrics based on the poem "Non sum qualis eram bonae sub regno Cynarae" by Ernest Dowson (1867-1900) which is in the Public Domain
lyrics
THE DAWN WAS GREY
Lyrics adapted from the poem
Non sum qualis eram bonae sub regno Cynarae
by Ernest Dowson (1867 – 1900)
Last night your shadow fell
Between her lips and mine
Your breath was shed
Between the kisses and the wine
All night within my arms
I felt her warm heart beat
The kisses of her bought red mouth were sweet
And I am desolate
And sick with an old flame
I have been faithful to you
In my way
The dawn was grey
I have forgotten much
Because the dance was long
Gone with the wind, flung roses
Roses with the throng
I called for madder music
I cried for stronger wine
To put your pale lost lilies out of mind
And I am desolate…
But when the feast is over
When the lamps expire
Desolate and hungry
For the lips of my desire
All night in love and sleep
Within my arms she lay
Till I awoke to find the dawn was gray
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