Uploaded November 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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"A Valentine" by Henry Livingston, Jr., the author of "Night Before Christmas. 1786. Read by Byron Nilsson, who portrayed Henry at the "Trial Before Christmas." Music from Richard Sheridan's score of "A Song from the Duenna," a version of which was in Henry Livingston's Music Manuscript.

A Valentine
14 Feb 1786

WELLCOME wellcome happy day
Wherein love-sick maidens may
Unrestrained tell their swains
All their fondness – all their pains.
Honest truth we may declare
Only once within a year –
Cruel custom ties us down
To this day & this alone.

Dearest Willy now believe me
Tho my frowns might long deceive you
When your ardent suit you press'd
All was tumult in my breast.
Trembling on my fault'ring tongue
Soft confessions often hung.

Charming fellow, when you sigh'd
All the pride within me dy'd
And it was with much ado
I could stammer no no no.

Now dear shepherd all is over
I will meet thee as a lover!
Pleased – I will freely bless
And right willing cry yes yes!