The Death of Little Eva & Uncle Tom

Poetry by Chas. L. Bennison,
Music by Isaac N. Bonney.
Boston: Oliver Ditson, 1853.


[Composed & respectfully dedicated to Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe.]

1. The last rays of sunset were shed o'er the mountain,
When Eva and Tom by the dim light were seen,
Conversing in secret by the side of a fountain,
Where often in times past they'd stray'd at e'en.

CHORUS.
Dear little Eva,
Sweet little Eva,
Dear little Eva St. Clare;
Near the arbor in the garden
Stands the weeping willow,
Drooping o'er the mossy grave of Eva St. Clare.

2. Her mind was as calm as a soft summer evening,
Where gentleness beauty and innocence reign'd,
But the small spot of crimson on the cheek of sweet Eva,
Show'd the grasp of the tyrant who held her enchain'd.

3. On a couch in the mansion was Eva reclining,
With kind friends around her, the ones she lov'd best;
As a soft gentle zephyr o'er a smooth running river,
So calm and so peaceful, she sunk to her rest.

4. How lonesome the hours of thy lowly companion
Who listen'd with eagerness to thy sweet voice,
Thy spirit has left him, for communion with angels,
The pure and the holy, the ones of thy choice.

5. In mild resignation a dark form was lying,
Awaiting the summons when he would be free,
When Eva's bright cherub entered into the cabin,
Whispering Uncle Tom, I linger for thee.

6. A warm smile came over the face of the bondsman,
As gently he folded his arms o'er his breast;
The conflict is over, no mortal can harm thee,
Their souls are united in the haven of rest.

PERFORMED BY
  GLIMPSE OF GLORY
LEAD VOCAL: Constance Harrington
CHORUS:
    Constance Harrington (Soprano)
    Kay Buchanan (Alto)
    David Tate (Tenor)
    James Stewart (Bass)
PIANO: Lynne Mackey

Recorded by Bill Dudley
Produced by Bill Wellington

RECORDED at Mennonite Media
Harrisonburg, Virginia
©2007 Well-In-Tune, Inc., Staunton VA
All rights reserved.


Audio encoding at the Digital Media Lab,
Clemons Library, University of Virginia



Courtesy Sheet Music Collection
BROWN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

      THE MUSIC FOR THIS SONG
        IS AVAILABLE AT BROWN'S
AFRICAN-AMERICAN SHEET MUSIC   1850-1920
--
      AN EXHIBIT AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS'
        AMERICAN MEMORY ARCHIVE