University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois I-Mark

Absence brings you nearer to my heart

Title
Absence brings you nearer to my heart - Lyrics
Alternative Title
Ballad
Composer
Solman, Alfred  
Lyricist
Benedek, Paul  
Publisher
M. Witmark & Sons  
Place of Publication
New York (N.Y.)  
Year of Publication
1917  
Lyrics
  • I watch the purple shadows falling, and think of you, my dear
  • out of the night I hear you calling, somehow I feel you near. I never knew how much I loved you until the day you went away. Absence brings you nearer to my heart, sweetheart
  • ev’ry time I think of you my love dreams start. In ev’ry letter that you send, I kiss the crosses at the end, for absence makes you dearer, brings you nearer to my heart. ‘Twas not so long ago you told me that you were all my own
  • why can’t your loving arms enfold me? Why must I be alone? I’d give the world to have you near me, oh come to me, come back to me!
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Original Location
  • Record Series 12/9/96
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 4
Local Identifier
2014_12996_007
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

Permalink

https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/f772ddc0-c556-0134-2373-0050569601ca-d

Descriptive Information

Title
Absence brings you nearer to my heart
Composer
Solman, Alfred  
Lyricist
Benedek, Paul [pseudonym of Joseph McCarthy]  
Publisher
M. Witmark & Sons  
Place of Publication
New York  
Year of Publication
1917  
Date of Copyright
1917-12-28
Physical Description
1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2–3, [1] p.)
Comment
This song was promoted vigorously but briefly between December 1917 and April 1918, apparently with some success, judging by the arrangements and the recording. But it apparently suffered in comparison with the enduring classic “Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder,” written in 1900 by Herbert Dillea and Arthur Gillespie. Its connection to the war is tenuous, but the lyric reference to letters is typical of war-related ballads.
Historical Note
  • A piano roll, Imperial 9513, played by Zema Randale, was released in March 1918. M. Witmark copyrighted three arrangements: a “vocal orchestration” by George J. Trinkhaus on December 31, 1917; a “full orchestra” arrangment by T. M. Taylor on April 23, 1918; and a “military band” arrangement (unattributed) on April 23, 1918. Witmark also registered mechanical rights on January 12, 1918.
  • This is the second of three printings that can be distinguished but not dated by back covers and interiors. M. Witmark copyrighted three arrangements: a “vocal orchestration” by George J. Trinkhaus on December 31, 1917; a “full orchestra” arrangment by T. M. Taylor on April 23, 1918; and a “military band” arrangement (unattributed) on April 23, 1918. Witmark also registered mechanical rights on January 12, 1918.
  • The slogan “Food Will Win the War—Don’t Waste It” (gutter, p. 2–3) was officially launched by the Food Adminstration in mid-September, 1917.
Musical Note
A conventional sentimental ballad, moderato and in 4/4, with the usual characteristics: the pervasive chromatic inflections frequently include modal borrowings, the melody contains recurring falling seconds, and there is the expected leap to the climax near the end.
Subject - Topic
  • Separation (Psychology) -- Songs and music.  
  • Popular music -- 1911-1920.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music.  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] ’Twas not so long ago you told me / That you were all my own. / Why can’t your loving arms enfold me? / Why must I be alone? / I’d give the world to have you near me, / O, come to me, come back to me!
  • [refrain 1] Absence brings you nearer to my heart, sweetheart; / Ev’ry time I think of you my love-dreams start. / In ev’ry letter that you send, / I kiss the crosses at the end, / For absence makes you dearer, / Brings you nearer to my heart.
  • [verse 1] I watch the purple shadows falling, / And think of you, my dear; / Out of the night I hear you calling, / Somehow I feel you near. / I never knew how much I loved you / Until the day you went away.
Musical Genre
Ballad
Repository
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Cover Description
Woman (sweetheart), in nightdress and in profile, facing left; behind, window and vase of cut flowers; heavy drapes at right. Black and orange on white; unsigned.
Back Cover Description
Advertisement, “Whitmark Black and White Series”, and sample, ”Evening Brings Rest and You” (© 1916 03 10).
Interior Description
  • Gutter: Food will win the war / Don't waste it.
  • P3 BC: vocal incipit, “The Dream of a Soldier Boy” (© 1917 11 30).
  • P2 BC: vocal incipit, “After a Thousand Years” (© 1917 11 23).
  • Plate numbers: p. 2, p. 3, BL: M.W.&SONS 15602-2
Performance Medium
Voice and piano  
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 4
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier
2014_12996_007
Collection Title
James Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
Collection
James Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection
TitleAbsence brings you nearer to my heart
ComposerSolman, Alfred  
LyricistBenedek, Paul [pseudonym of Joseph McCarthy]  
PublisherM. Witmark & Sons  
Place of PublicationNew York  
Year of Publication1917  
Date of Copyright1917-12-28
Physical Description1 score, voice and piano ([1], 2–3, [1] p.)
CommentThis song was promoted vigorously but briefly between December 1917 and April 1918, apparently with some success, judging by the arrangements and the recording. But it apparently suffered in comparison with the enduring classic “Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder,” written in 1900 by Herbert Dillea and Arthur Gillespie. Its connection to the war is tenuous, but the lyric reference to letters is typical of war-related ballads.
Historical Note
  • A piano roll, Imperial 9513, played by Zema Randale, was released in March 1918. M. Witmark copyrighted three arrangements: a “vocal orchestration” by George J. Trinkhaus on December 31, 1917; a “full orchestra” arrangment by T. M. Taylor on April 23, 1918; and a “military band” arrangement (unattributed) on April 23, 1918. Witmark also registered mechanical rights on January 12, 1918.
  • This is the second of three printings that can be distinguished but not dated by back covers and interiors. M. Witmark copyrighted three arrangements: a “vocal orchestration” by George J. Trinkhaus on December 31, 1917; a “full orchestra” arrangment by T. M. Taylor on April 23, 1918; and a “military band” arrangement (unattributed) on April 23, 1918. Witmark also registered mechanical rights on January 12, 1918.
  • The slogan “Food Will Win the War—Don’t Waste It” (gutter, p. 2–3) was officially launched by the Food Adminstration in mid-September, 1917.
Musical NoteA conventional sentimental ballad, moderato and in 4/4, with the usual characteristics: the pervasive chromatic inflections frequently include modal borrowings, the melody contains recurring falling seconds, and there is the expected leap to the climax near the end.
Subject - Topic
  • Separation (Psychology) -- Songs and music.  
  • Popular music -- 1911-1920.  
  • World War, 1914-1918 -- Songs and music.  
Lyrics
  • [refrain 2]
  • [verse 2] ’Twas not so long ago you told me / That you were all my own. / Why can’t your loving arms enfold me? / Why must I be alone? / I’d give the world to have you near me, / O, come to me, come back to me!
  • [refrain 1] Absence brings you nearer to my heart, sweetheart; / Ev’ry time I think of you my love-dreams start. / In ev’ry letter that you send, / I kiss the crosses at the end, / For absence makes you dearer, / Brings you nearer to my heart.
  • [verse 1] I watch the purple shadows falling, / And think of you, my dear; / Out of the night I hear you calling, / Somehow I feel you near. / I never knew how much I loved you / Until the day you went away.
Musical GenreBallad
RepositoryUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Cover DescriptionWoman (sweetheart), in nightdress and in profile, facing left; behind, window and vase of cut flowers; heavy drapes at right. Black and orange on white; unsigned.
Back Cover DescriptionAdvertisement, “Whitmark Black and White Series”, and sample, ”Evening Brings Rest and You” (© 1916 03 10).
Interior Description
  • Gutter: Food will win the war / Don't waste it.
  • P3 BC: vocal incipit, “The Dream of a Soldier Boy” (© 1917 11 30).
  • P2 BC: vocal incipit, “After a Thousand Years” (© 1917 11 23).
  • Plate numbers: p. 2, p. 3, BL: M.W.&SONS 15602-2
Performance MediumVoice and piano  
Original Location
  • Series 2, Box 12, Folder 4
  • Record Series 12/9/96
Local Identifier2014_12996_007
Collection TitleJames Edward Myers Sheet Music Collection, 1836-1986
CollectionJames Edward Myers World War I Sheet Music Collection

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