This song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for 1952. Playing over the credits of the Western by the same title, the song describes the moral dilemma faced by Sheriff Will Kane (Gary Cooper) against a gang of outlaws.
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 twixt 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)
High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) was written by Ned Washington & Dimitri Tiomkin.
Tex Ritter released High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) on Mon Jun 09 1952.