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Portrait of My Wife

[ Roud V14031 ; VWML FK/13/18/3 ; words trad. / Seth Lakeman; music Seth Lakeman]

Seth Lakeman sang Portrait of My Wife (from the Frank Kidson Broadside Collection Vol. 5) on the Full English’s eponymous 2013 Topic CD, The Full English.

Lyrics

Seth Lakeman sings Portrait of My Wife

In vain I try to dry a tear which falls down from my eyes,
It makes me think of one I love who in this cold grave lies;
My heart is very sad I vow, one thing cheers me through my life:
The only merit I have left, this portrait of my wife.

Roll away those lonely days,
Roll from up above.
Raise your glass to the one you love.

She gave it with a parting kiss, she gave it with a sigh,
And said, “Dear husband do take this before I say goodbye.
And let me place it round your neck while I’ve got one breath of life.
I hope you’ll never once forget this portrait of your wife.”

Roll away those empty days,
Roll from up above.
Raise your glass to the one you love.

I see her in my dreams at night, I think of her by day,
To me she was an angel bright but now she’s far away.
I wear her portrait near my heart, I’ll honour it through life,
And I will never be apart from this portrait of my wife.

Roll away those hollow days,
Roll from up above.
Raise your glass to the one you love.