"Hearest and Dearest" (1866)
Poetry/Words by W. C. Baker
Music by John Rogers THomas, 1830-1896

New YorkL C. W. Harris, 4411 Broadway
Boston: O. Ditson
Philadephia: Lee & Walker
Chicago: Root & Cady
Buffalo: Penn & Bennington
Lithographers: W. Verrlat & Co., 70 Maiden Lane, N.Y.
Plate No. 1305
[Source: [1866]]@NYPl; [1868] 106/053@Levy]

1. Nearest and dearest; oh! tell me once more, 
Am I remember’d and lov’d as of yore? 
Am I still dearer and more as thine own, 
Since thou hast taught me to love thee alone? 
Many the hopes I have cherish’d for thee— 
Tell me if nearest thy heart I shall be; 
Say if for me tender memories twine 
In the fond heart that should ever be mine.

[REFRAIN sung after each verse]
Nearest and dearest; Oh! tell me once more,— 
Am I not nearer thy heart than of yore?

2. Nearest and dearest; oh! tell me again, 
All my bright visions of love are not vain. 
Pleasure and hopes, o’er my sorrows and fears; 
Happily smile thro’ the far distant years. 
When I look up in the stargleaming air, 
Emblems of constancy smile on me there, 
O, to my spirit breathe lovingly new, 
Nearest and dearest and fairest art thou.