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Once Again
Words by Lionel H. Lewin.
Composed expressly for Sims Reeves.
Published by Boosey & Co., 1872.


Music cover

For notes about Lionel Lewin, see Guinevere! The middle initial on the cover is an error.

Hermann Klein wrote about Sims Reeves in 1903:

I first heard him sing at the Norwich Festival of 1866, when he took part in Costa's oratorio Naaman. His voice was then still in its prime. A more exquisite illustration of what is termed the true Italian tenor quality it would be impossible to imagine; and this delicious sweetness, this rare combination of "velvety" richness with ringing timbre, he retained in diminishing volume almost to the last.

It is probable that Sims Reeves lost more money through unfulfilled engagements than any other singer that ever lived. He himself computed the total amount thus eliminated from his banking account, during a career of half a century, at £80,000. An eighth of this sum would have sufficed to spare him the rigid economy and the necessity of music-hall work which marred the closing years of his existence.

He died in October 1900, aged 82.


Karaoke File


I linger round the very spot
Where years ago we met,
And wonder when you quite forgot,
Or if you quite forget,
And tender yearnings rise anew,
For love that used to be,
If you could know that I was true,
And I that you were free.
Ah! Love once again;
Meet me once again,
Old love is waking,
Shall it wake in vain!
Love once again;
Meet me once again,
Old love is waking,
Shall it wake in vain,
Shall it wake in vain!

Sims Reeves
Sims Reeves

For ever yet my thoughts incline
And back my mem'ry slips,
I feel warm fingers lock'd in mine,
I see those quiv'ring lips,
Whose murmurs came like music through,
When mine had set them free,
That all the world was nought to you,
Who only wanted me.
Ah! Love once again;
Meet me once again,
Old love is waking,
Shall it wake in vain!
Love once again;
Meet me once again,
Old love is waking,
Shall it wake in vain,
Shall it wake in vain!



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