When You Were Sweet Sixteen Lyrics and guitar chords
Song Meaning: "When You Were Sweet Sixteen""When You Were Sweet Sixteen" is a sentimental ballad written by James Thornton in 1898. Over the years, the song has become a beloved standard, especially in Irish music circles, with famous renditions by The Fureys and The Mills Brothers. The song expresses deep, romantic devotion and nostalgia for young love.
Themes and Meaning:
Musical Style:The song is typically performed as a slow, tender ballad. Its simple yet melodic structure enhances its emotional impact, allowing the lyrics to take center stage. The Fureys’ version is especially well-known for its haunting arrangement, often accompanied by traditional Irish instrumentation.
Legacy:"When You Were Sweet Sixteen" has endured as a timeless love song. It has been performed by a wide range of artists, each adding their own unique interpretation, and remains a popular choice at weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations of love.
Themes and Meaning:
- Nostalgic Love:
The song is a heartfelt reflection on a love that began in youth. The narrator reminisces about his sweetheart’s beauty and innocence when she was sixteen, a time often idealized as one of purity and hope.- "I love you as I never loved before,
Since first I met you on the village green."
These lines reflect the enduring nature of love, emphasizing the memories of a first meeting and young romance.
- "I love you as I never loved before,
- Timeless Devotion:
A major theme in the song is the idea of everlasting love. The narrator expresses that his love has not diminished over the years, even as time has passed and they have grown older.- "For my heart is filled with memories of you,
When you were sweet sixteen."
The memories of youth are cherished, and the narrator holds on to the love and beauty that time cannot erase.
- "For my heart is filled with memories of you,
- Sentimentality and Idealization:
The song idealizes the past, focusing on the sweetness of young love and a simpler, more romantic time. This theme of longing for the past is common in many traditional ballads and folk songs. - Cultural Significance:
The song resonates particularly in Irish music circles, where it has become a popular choice for romantic dedications and sentimental moments. The Fureys’ rendition, in particular, brought the song renewed fame and emotional weight.
Musical Style:The song is typically performed as a slow, tender ballad. Its simple yet melodic structure enhances its emotional impact, allowing the lyrics to take center stage. The Fureys’ version is especially well-known for its haunting arrangement, often accompanied by traditional Irish instrumentation.
Legacy:"When You Were Sweet Sixteen" has endured as a timeless love song. It has been performed by a wide range of artists, each adding their own unique interpretation, and remains a popular choice at weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations of love.
When you were sweet sixteen guitar tab, lyrics and chords. Written by James Thornton Made famous by The Fureys [ lyrics ],.Also recorded by Tommy Flemming, Glen Campbell, Nathan Carter and by Val Doonican, to name a few. The youtube video is of the Irish folk group The Furey Brothers And Davey Arthur. In 2019 the song was recorded by the County Tyrone folk group The Whistlin' Donkeys.
When[G] first I saw the love light in your[C] eyes,,[Am
I[D] thought the world held nought but joy for[G] me
And[G] even though we[Em] drifted far a[C]part
I[A] never dream but what I dream of[D] you
[Chorus]
IG] love you as I never loved be[C]fore
Since[D] first I saw you on the village[G] green
Come[G] to me e'er my dreams of love is[C] o're,,[Am]
I[C] love you as I[G] loved you,when you were[D] sweet
When you were[Am] sweet six[G]teen
Last night I dreamen I held you in my arms
And once again you were my happy bride
I kissed you as I did on 'Auld Lang Syne',
As to the church we wandered side by side
I[D] thought the world held nought but joy for[G] me
And[G] even though we[Em] drifted far a[C]part
I[A] never dream but what I dream of[D] you
[Chorus]
IG] love you as I never loved be[C]fore
Since[D] first I saw you on the village[G] green
Come[G] to me e'er my dreams of love is[C] o're,,[Am]
I[C] love you as I[G] loved you,when you were[D] sweet
When you were[Am] sweet six[G]teen
Last night I dreamen I held you in my arms
And once again you were my happy bride
I kissed you as I did on 'Auld Lang Syne',
As to the church we wandered side by side
Below is the list of songs in the Furey Brothers Tin Whistle Sheet Music Tabs.
Some of the later songs that were recorded by Finbar Furey are included.
When you were sweet sixteen is included.
The price of the ebook is €9.95.
Some of the later songs that were recorded by Finbar Furey are included.
When you were sweet sixteen is included.
The price of the ebook is €9.95.
Sweet Sixteen In The Key Of C Major
When[C] first I [CMaj7]saw the[Am] love light in your[F] eyes
I[G] thought the world held[G7] nought but joy for[C] me...[G7]
And[C] even thou[CMaj7]gh we[Am] drifted [Am7]far a[F]part...[Dm]
I[D] never dream but [D7]what I dream of[G] you...[G7]
[Chorus]
I[C] love you as I [Am]never loved be[F]fore...[Dm]
Since[G] first I saw you on the village[C] green....[G7]
Come[C] to me[CMaj7] 'ere my [Am]dreams of love is[F] o're...[Dm]
I[D] love you as I[C] loved [CMaj7]you, [Am7]when you were[Em] sweet
When you were[Dm] sweet[G7] six[C]teen
When[C] first I [CMaj7]saw the[Am] love light in your[F] eyes
I[G] thought the world held[G7] nought but joy for[C] me...[G7]
And[C] even thou[CMaj7]gh we[Am] drifted [Am7]far a[F]part...[Dm]
I[D] never dream but [D7]what I dream of[G] you...[G7]
[Chorus]
I[C] love you as I [Am]never loved be[F]fore...[Dm]
Since[G] first I saw you on the village[C] green....[G7]
Come[C] to me[CMaj7] 'ere my [Am]dreams of love is[F] o're...[Dm]
I[D] love you as I[C] loved [CMaj7]you, [Am7]when you were[Em] sweet
When you were[Dm] sweet[G7] six[C]teen
The Furey Brothers And Davie Arthur Version.
The intro chords.
G D Em C Bm Am D G D G F#m Em C Bm Am D G D
When[G] first I [Bm]saw the [Em]love light [G]in your[C] eyes[Bm],,[Am
I[D] thought the world held nought but joy for[G] me,[D]
And[G] even though we[Em] drifted far a[C]part[Bm][Am]
I[Am] never dream but [F#m]what I dream of[D] you[Bm[Am]
[Chorus]
[D]IG] love you as I [Em]never loved be[C]fore[G][Am]
Since[D] first I saw you on the village[G] green[D]
Come[G] to me e'er my dreams [Am]of love is[C] o're[Em],,[Am]
I[C] love you as I[G] loved you,[Em]when you were[Bm] sweet
[D]When you were[Am] sweet[D] six[G]teen
Music break chords
G F#m Em C Bm Am D G D G F#m Em C G Am D G D
Repeat chorus
The intro chords.
G D Em C Bm Am D G D G F#m Em C Bm Am D G D
When[G] first I [Bm]saw the [Em]love light [G]in your[C] eyes[Bm],,[Am
I[D] thought the world held nought but joy for[G] me,[D]
And[G] even though we[Em] drifted far a[C]part[Bm][Am]
I[Am] never dream but [F#m]what I dream of[D] you[Bm[Am]
[Chorus]
[D]IG] love you as I [Em]never loved be[C]fore[G][Am]
Since[D] first I saw you on the village[G] green[D]
Come[G] to me e'er my dreams [Am]of love is[C] o're[Em],,[Am]
I[C] love you as I[G] loved you,[Em]when you were[Bm] sweet
[D]When you were[Am] sweet[D] six[G]teen
Music break chords
G F#m Em C Bm Am D G D G F#m Em C G Am D G D
Repeat chorus
Finbar Furey singer of When You Were Sweet Sixteen
When you were sweet sixteen song lyrics [ 2 ]
When you were sweet sixteen
Life was just a dream
Everything was so brand new
And I was in love with you
Chorus:
Oh, when you were sweet sixteen
My heart was yours to keep
We danced under the moonlight
And promised to never weep
Verse 2:
We walked hand in hand
On the sandy beach of white sand
Whispering sweet nothings
With our love just beginning
Chorus:
Oh, when you were sweet sixteen
My heart was yours to keep
We danced under the moonlight
And promised to never weep
Bridge:
But time flew by so fast
And our love couldn't last
Now all that's left are memories
Of when you were sweet sixteen
Chorus:
Oh, when you were sweet sixteen
My heart was yours to keep
We danced under the moonlight
And promised to never weep
Outro:
Though we may have grown apart
You'll always hold a special place in my heart
Oh, when you were sweet sixteen
Life was just a dream.
When you were sweet sixteen
Life was just a dream
Everything was so brand new
And I was in love with you
Chorus:
Oh, when you were sweet sixteen
My heart was yours to keep
We danced under the moonlight
And promised to never weep
Verse 2:
We walked hand in hand
On the sandy beach of white sand
Whispering sweet nothings
With our love just beginning
Chorus:
Oh, when you were sweet sixteen
My heart was yours to keep
We danced under the moonlight
And promised to never weep
Bridge:
But time flew by so fast
And our love couldn't last
Now all that's left are memories
Of when you were sweet sixteen
Chorus:
Oh, when you were sweet sixteen
My heart was yours to keep
We danced under the moonlight
And promised to never weep
Outro:
Though we may have grown apart
You'll always hold a special place in my heart
Oh, when you were sweet sixteen
Life was just a dream.
List of some of the singers who recorded When You Were Sweet Sixteen
Frankie Yankovic
Herb Kern
Jerry Colonna
Reinald Werrenrath
Maurice J. Gunsky
Phil Reid
Bob Manning
Art Gillham
Campbell & Burr
Harry McDonough
Val Alstyne Egbert
Lobit
Megan McCafferty
Ella Fitzgerald
Judy Garland
Brian Dullagham
Josef Loche
Tony Christie
George Whiteman
The Irish Tenors
Barry Manilow
Mitch Miller
The Chordettes
Daniel O'Donnell
Tony Bennett
The Mills Brothers
Al Jolson
Peter Heaps
Johnny Desmond
The Crew Cuts
Dolph Traynor
Eddie Fisher
Pery Como
The Ink Spots
The Furey Brothers
Norman Tabernacle
The Ray Charles Singers
Frankie Yankovic
Herb Kern
Jerry Colonna
Reinald Werrenrath
Maurice J. Gunsky
Phil Reid
Bob Manning
Art Gillham
Campbell & Burr
Harry McDonough
Val Alstyne Egbert
Lobit
Megan McCafferty
Ella Fitzgerald
Judy Garland
Brian Dullagham
Josef Loche
Tony Christie
George Whiteman
The Irish Tenors
Barry Manilow
Mitch Miller
The Chordettes
Daniel O'Donnell
Tony Bennett
The Mills Brothers
Al Jolson
Peter Heaps
Johnny Desmond
The Crew Cuts
Dolph Traynor
Eddie Fisher
Pery Como
The Ink Spots
The Furey Brothers
Norman Tabernacle
The Ray Charles Singers
