Why Have My Loved Ones Gone?

Stephen Foster's mood swings would often take him deep into depression. It was while at this low point in his moods that he was most creative. And many of his songs reveal his contemplative thoughts during these periods. And it may have been these thoughts that drove him to alcohol as an escape.

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-7   -6   6   -4   -3   -4
Why have my loved ones gone,

 -4  -4   5     4    4   6  5  -4
Like the dew 'neath the ear-ly sun?

-7  -6 6  -4 -3  -4
Why am I left a-lone,

  6   -6   -4    -4   7    -7  -6    6
While all their trou-bles here are done?

 6  -6  -4   -4    7    -7  -6 -7
My days of youth have passed a-way,

 6  -5    5     4   6   5   -4 
And the shades of life are near,

-4 -4   -7  -6   6
But I still re-main

-5   5   -5   6  5   -4
to mourn the hap-py days

  5   -6  -4  -4  7     -7    -6    6
When dear de-part-ed friends were here.

chorus

-7   -6   6   -4   -3   -4
Why have my lov'd ones gone,

  5   4  4   6   5  -4
Gone to re-turn no more

 -7  -6   6  -5    5 -5  6   5  -4
Calm-ly glid-ing o'er a sum-mer sea

   6    -6  -4   -4    7  -7 -6    6
Whilst I'm left plod-ding on the shore?

verse 2
Why have my loved ones gone,
from the joys and the pains of life?
Why do I still live on,
Alone to battle in the strife?
Alone to strugle in the fray,
Till my earthly cares are done;
While the young, the fair
have van-ish'd from the day,
Before their sorrows had begun.

verse 3
Why hve my loved ones gone,
While the springtime is on the breeze?
Gilding the hillside farm,
And breathing music thro' the trees!
The birds are singing in the air,
And the flow'rs are in their bloom;
All things around are beautiful and fair,
But still my spirit lies in gloom.

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