The Ballad of High Noon

Title: The Ballad of High Noon
(or  Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin)
Artist: Tex Ritter


Do not forsake me, oh, my darlin',
On this, our wedding day.
Do not forsake me, oh, my darlin',
Wait; wait alone.
I do not know what fate awaits me.
I only know I must be brave.
For I must face a man who hates me,
Or lie a coward, a craven coward;
Or lie a coward in my grave.

Oh, to be torn 'twixt love an' duty.
S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty.
Look at that big hand move along,
Nearing high noon.

He made a vow while in state prison:
Vowed it would be my life for his an',
I'm not afraid of death but, oh, what shall I do,
If you leave me?

Do not forsake me, oh, my darlin':
You made that promise as a bride.
Do not forsake me, oh, my darlin'.
Although you're grievin', don't think of leavin',
Now that I need you by my side.

Wait along, (Wait along.)
Wait along.
Wait along. (Wait along, wait along, wait along, wait along.)

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The Ballad of High Noon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The Ballad of High Noon" (or "Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin'") is a popular song published in 1952 with music by Dimitri Tiomkin and lyrics by Ned Washington. It was introduced in the movie High Noon, sung over the opening credits by Tex Ritter. It was awarded the 1952 Academy Award for Best Original Song.

In the context of film music, "The Ballad of High Noon" is acclaimed not merely for its musical integration with High Noon's score, but also for expounding lyrically on the themes of honour and obligation which define the film.[citation needed] It is placed at #25 on "AFI's 100 Years.