I HAD A LITTLE SORROW
(Bob Cooper / Edna St Vincent Millay)

as recorded by June Christy
1959


I had a little sorrow,
Born of a little sin.
I found a room
All damp with gloom
And I locked myself within.
And "Little sorrow, weep!", said I,
And "Little sin, pray God to die!",
While I upon the floor will lie
And think How bad I've been!

Alas for pious planning,
It mattered not a whit!
For all the gloom
Within that room
The lamp might have been lit.
My little sorrow wouldn't weep,
My little sin would go to sleep.
To save my soul
I couldn't keep
My graceless mind on it's...

So up I got in anger
And I took a book I had,
And then I put a ribbon in my hair
To please a passing lad.
But one thing there's no getting by,
"I've been a wicked girl!", said I,
"But if I can't be sorry, why,
I might as well be glad!".



(Transcribed by Peter Akers - December 2015)