I Wish You Love

By Leo Chauliac & Albert A. Beach
1957

Beginning its life as a French song entitled "Que reste-t-il de nos amours?", the original lyrics for this tune were written by one Charles Louis Trenet. Sticking to the original's wistful theme of young love matured, Beach added English lyrics, and Keely Smith introduced the soon-to-be standard. 

Lyrics:

Goodbye,

No use leading with our chins.

This is where our story end;

Never lovers, ever friends.

Goodbye,

Let our hearts call it a day.

But before you walk away,

I sincerely want to say...

I wish you bluebirds in the spring,

To give your heart a song to sing.

And then a kiss, but more than this,

I wish you love.

And in July, lemonade,

To cool you in some leafy glade.

I wish you health, but more than wealth,

I wish you love.

My breaking heart and I agree

That you and I could never be,

So with my best, my very best,

I set you free.

I wish you shelter from the storm,

A cozy fire to keep you warm,

But most of all, when snowflakes fall,

I wish you love.

Recorded By:

Frank Sinatra & Count Basie

Barbra Streisand

Jerry Lee Lewis

Gloria Lynne

Nat King Cole