IF WE ONLY KNEW
by
Mel B Spurr & Bond Andrews (1897)

It’s a curious thing to reflect sometimes
On the various incidents passing around.
To think of the number of horrible crimes
Whose authors have never as yet been found.
A murderer’s hand may be clasped in ours,
In the grasp of friendship, warm and true.
Should we love it the less or cease to caress,
If we only knew? If we only knew?
How many a tie that once was sweet
Has been cruelly snapped by a slanderer’s tongue!
How many a friend whom we used to greet
With welcoming words, and to whom we clung
In joy or sorrow, in pleasure or pain,
Has suddenly seemed to be false and untrue:
How oft we should find that our doubts were unkind,
If we only knew? If we only knew?
There are some will sigh and whisper low
Of a love that is changeless, and deep and pure:
And we think – do we not? When they tell us so,
That of somebody’s heart, at least, we are sure.
But fancy is apt to wander about,
And to sip from a hundred flowers the dew:
Would our love be as deep, would our jealousy sleep,
If we only knew! If we only knew!
Then comes the time when ‘the knot’ is tied:
Surely of life it’s most charming scene!
The bridegroom looks on his beautiful bride,
And dreams of a future all bright and serene.
Let the lad dream on: shall his hopes be fulfilled?
One turns out a slattern? another a shrew?
How many would pause at the very church doors?
If they only knew! If they only knew!