Poem 15 — 100 Days of Poetry
About the Poem:
Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms by Thomas Moore is a tender and heartfelt poem about the enduring nature of true love, which transcends time and physical beauty. The poem speaks to the idea that even as youth fades, love continues to grow deeper and more meaningful. It has been cherished as a timeless expression of devotion.
Thomas Moore (1779–1852) was an Irish poet and singer known for his romantic and melodious verses. This poem, originally set to music, remains one of his most popular and enduring works, capturing the essence of love that lasts beyond physical beauty.
Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms — Thomas Moore
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly to-day,
Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be ador’d, as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheeks unprofan’d by a tear,
That the fervour and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear;
No, the heart that has truly lov’d never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close,
As the sun-flower turns on her god, when he sets,
The same look which she turn’d when he rose.
My Reflections on the Poem:
Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms is one of those poems that beautifully captures the idea of love that endures beyond physical beauty. Recording this poem, I was struck by the sincerity of Moore’s words and how they continue to resonate across generations. It’s a reminder that true love is not bound by time or appearance, but by something much deeper and more lasting.
This post is part of my 100 Days of Poetry series, where I embarked on a journey to record and share 100 poems over 100 days in 2017. Although the series was interrupted, I’m delighted to continue sharing these timeless works with you.
