DRINK TO ME ONLY
​WITH THINE EYES

Lyrics:  Ben Johnson          Tune:  Traditional
This song/tune has been performed by very different kinds of musicians and singers, including folk, country and western, choral, and opera.  It has been performed both instrumentally and as a song, and in a wide range of tempos.   
​
Accordion Notation
Beats per bar =  3
Beat symbol =    "Dot"  ( . )     
Either row (low) =   Buttons  3 - 6 
Tapping pattern =  |  B  C  C  |
First half of Verse 1

  .4     .4   .4    |    :4*   .4*    |    .5  .4*      .4     |    .3*   .4   
Drink  to  me        on  - ly         with__    thine     eyes__

 .4*   |   .5   .3     .4*    |    :4         .3*   |   .:3~ | ~.:    |               
And        I___     will       pledge  with      mine__

.4      .4    .4   |    :4*    .4*   |  .5   .4*    .4   |    .3*   .4   
Or  leave  a       kiss   with  -  in___     the       cup_

 .4*    |   .5   .3     .4*   |   :4     .3*   |   .:3~ | ~:   
And       I'll___    not      ask    for       wine__
​

Second half of Verse 1 

  .5   |     .5   .4    .5   |    :6     .5   |   .5   .4     .5    |   :5  
The     thirst__   that    from  the     soul__   doth     rise 

  .5   |   :5*    .5   |    .5   .4*     .4   |   .:4   |   .:3*      | 
Doth    ask    a      drink___    di   -    vi__-__ne__

​ .4      .4    .4   |   :4*    .4*    |   .5   .4*    .4   |   .3*   .4 
But  might  I         of  Jove's    nec__ -   tar      sip__

.4*  |     .5    .3      .4*     |      :4       .3*   |   .:3~ | ~.:   | 
  I      would__      not        change  for       thine__

Embedded youTube VIDEOS
Seven youTube videos in keys of:   A=2   C=3    E=1   G=1
Key:  C

Tempo:  ~145 bpm

Performer:  Antonio Celio Silva

Posted by: Antonio Celio Silva
Key:  C 
​
Tempo:  ~140  bpm

Accordionist:  ?

​Posted by:  Learning the Accordion

This is a very short performance.
Key:  C

Tempo:  ~90 bpm

Singer:  Roger Whittaker

​Posted by:  ​Anjan Chakraborty

​Singing starts at time 0:29
Key:  G

Tempo:  ~120 bpm

Singer:  Anthony Archibald 

​Posted by:  threelegsoman
Key:  A

Tempo:  ~130 bpm.

Singer:  Johnny Cash

Posted by: theseventyseven

Singing begins at time 1:00
Key:  E 
​
Tempo:  ~85 bpm

Singer:  Elizabeth Schwarzkopf  

Posted by:  Herur22
Key:  A  (though maybe hard
             to follow from time 0:50
​              to the end.)

Tempo:  ~125 bpm

Group:  The Wesleyan Spirits

​Posted by:  Wesleyan Spirits
Background Materials, Information & Links
​Lyrics:
Drink to me only with thine eyes
And I will pledge with mine.
Or leave a kiss within the cup
And I'll not ask for wine.
     The thirst that from the soul doth rise
     Doth ask a drink divine;
     But might I of Jove's nectar sip,
     I would not change for thine.
​
I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much honouring thee
As giving it a hope that there
It could not withered be;
     But thou thereon did'st only breathe,
     And sent'st it back to me,
     Since when it grows and smells, I swear
     Not of itself, but thee.

Repeat Verse 1.
Background Links:
Click HERE for additional info about this song (wikipedia).

Click HERE  for biographical info on Ben Johnson (wikipedia)