Do Not Forsake Me O My Darling
Western Music
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Western Song: High Noon/Do Not Forsake Me O My Darling

High Noon which is also known for its opening lyric title “Do Not Forsake Me O My Darling” is another popular western song that the members of The Western Writers of America chose as one of the Top 100 Western Songs of all time. It also appears at number 25 in the list of AFI’s 100 Years…100 Songs.

The song is published in 1952 composed by Dimitri Tiomkin and lyrics by Ned Washington. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and is the theme song of the multiple Academy Award-winning movie High Noon. Country Music singer and actor Tex Ritter sung the song in the movie wherein the song directly refer to how Will Kane, a character played by Gary Cooper, can’t have a safe life with Amy Fowler-Kane, a role played by Grace Kelly, until he has removed the threats that face him. Will wanted Amy to stay with him just a while longer until it’s all over; she should not give up on him.

Also, the goal of the song lyrics is for them to briefly tell the film’s entire story which is about cowardice and conformity in a small Western town. The entire music score was created around a single western-style ballad. The film score was provided by Dimitri Tiomkin and he created an unconventional score for the film by removing the violins from the music ensemble and he added a subtle harmonica sound in the background along with other instruments.

Popular Recordings

Same as the other popular western songs, several artists covered High Noon. The most popular versions were recorded by:

  • Tex Ritter
  • Frankie Laine
  • Duane Eddy

Other Titles for High Noon/Do Not Forsake Me O My Darling

There are different versions of this song and variations of the same song have also been written as:

  • The Ballad of High Noon
  • Do Not Forsake Me
  • Do Not Forsake Me O My Darling
  • High Noon

Listen (Frankie Laine Version)

High Noon/Do Not Forsake Me O My Darling Lyrics

Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
On this, our weddin' day
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Wait, wait along

I do not know what fate awaits me
I only know I must be brave
And 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 'tweenst love and duty
S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty
Look at that big hand move along
Nearin' high noon

He made a vow while in state prison
Vowed it would be my life or his'n
I'm not afraid of death but oh
What will 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, wait along)

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