If You Love Me Don't Leave Me
Jim Reeves · Dear Hearts and Gentle People [Legacy] [2005]
If you leave me I'll cry
Tell me you love another
But tell me you'll try.
You ask my heart questions
The answer is believe
I could never forget you
If you love me don't leave.
Can't you see that I need you
Oh, how I wish you would stay
Need you now and forever
Just like yesterday.
If I had the power
To go back through the years
Then the break in your heart, love
Can dry all your tears.
--- Instrumenral ---
May God bear me witness
I'll love you, I do
Just give me a chance love
I'll prove it to you.
Like roses need rain drops
Like daisy's need dew
Like a babe needs it's mother
That's how I need you...
About If You Love Me Don't Leave Me
Jim Reeves' 1956 recording of "If You Love Me Don't Leave Me" stands as a quintessential example of his smooth, baritone delivery and romantic storytelling. Released on RCA Victor, the track exemplifies the Nashville sound, blending acoustic guitar with a lush orchestral arrangement that defined the genre's polished aesthetic. As one of his most enduring ballads, the song showcases Reeves' ability to convey deep emotion through subtle vocal inflections and a gentle, conversational tone. It remains a staple of his discography, frequently featured on compilations such as "Dear Hearts and Gentle People" and "The Essential Jim Reeves," where it highlights his status as a master of the love song. The recording captures the era's idealized romance, cementing Reeves' legacy as a leading figure in country and pop music history.