[from] Diamond Cut Diamond.
A Parlor Opera in One Act.
Words by
George Cooper, 1840-1927
Music by
John Rogers Thomas, 1830-1896
To Mrs. Louise Oliver.
"When Life Was May" (1876)
Waltz Song for Soprano.
From the Operetta, "Diamond Cut Diamond."

Published by J. L. Peters, New York.
Cincinnati: Dobmeyer & Newhall.
Toronto: A. & B. Nordhemer.
San Francisco and Portland: Matthias Gray
Detroit: C. J. Whitney
Plate No. 9306--4.
[Source: @NYPL]

When Life was May, Oh! bright and gay, 
I roamed upon the merry leas; 
And free as air, I knew no care, 
My friends the sunlight, the sunlight and the breeze. 

Never sighing, never pining. 
Pain, Pain and sorrow passing, passing by, 
Hope and beauty round me shining, 
Who so happy, who so happy then as I? 

When life was May, Oh! bright and gay, 
I roamed upon the merry leas; 
And free as air, I knew no care, 
My friends, the sunlight, the sunlight and the breeze. 

Now I’m grieving, Love’s deceiving! 
Never chiding, still, still believing, 
Hearts their folly still are proving, 
When they sadly wake to loving 
Ah! yes, Ah! yes, Ah! yes, 

when Life was May, Oh! bright and gay, 
I roamed upon the merry leas; 
And free as air, I knew no care, 
My friends, the sunlight, and the breeze. 

Ah! me, When Life was May, 
How bright, bright and gay, 
la la la la la la la la la la la.