Thomas Moore: Collected Lyrics
26 / 27
Public-domain lyrics

When he who adores thee, has left but the name

Thomas Moore

“When he who adores thee, has left but the name” as printed in Irish Melodies (1821).

Thomas Moore: Collected Lyrics Text 26 1821 · historical text
Public domainIrish songRomantic ballad
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Irish Melodies, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

When he, who adores thee, has left but the name

Of his fault and his sorrows behind,

Oh! say wilt thou weep, when they darken the fame

Of a life that for thee was resigned!

Yes, weep, and however my foes may condemn,

Thy tears shall efface their decree;

For, heaven can witness, though guilty to them,

I have been but too faithful to thee!

Verse 2

With thee were the dreams of my earliest love;

Every thought of my reason was thine:

In my last humble prayer to the Spirit above,

Thy name shall be mingled with mine!

Oh! blest are the lovers and friends who shall live

The days of thy glory to see;

But the next dearest blessing that heaven can give

Is the pride of thus dying for thee!

Credits

Written by Thomas Moore

Words by Thomas Moore (died 1852). Historical text published in Irish Melodies (1821); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Irish Melodies (1821), “When he who adores thee, has left but the name”

Every lyric in this collection was written by Thomas Moore (1779-1852) and first published between 1808 and 1821 (music arranged by John Stevenson, 1761-1833); both contributors died more than 170 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide, and the edition carries a pre-1931 United States public-domain tag. The credited author died in 1852.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-24. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
Keep tracing

More from Thomas Moore: Collected Lyrics.

01Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young CharmsPublic-domain lyrics02The Minstrel BoyPublic-domain lyrics03As a beam o'er the face of the waters may glowPublic-domain lyrics04Come, send round the wine, and leave points of beliefPublic-domain lyrics