Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes — Jason Paul performance

The performance

3 recordings

Performance 1

Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes [1616] – Ben Jonson, English Traditional | Jason Paul

January 8, 2026

About the song

Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes sets words by the English poet Ben Jonson, published in 1616, to a melody associated with later musical settings. Jason Paul performs this enduring song with voice and acoustic guitar.

Lyrics and chords

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Verse

ADrink to me E7only Awith thine Bmeyes,

And AI wE7ill Apledge E7with Amine;

AOr leave a E7kiss withiAn the Bmcup,

And AI'll E7not Aask E7for Awine.

Verse

The Athirst that from the soul doth rise,

Doth Dask Aa drink divineE;

ABut might I E7of Jove's Anectar Bmsip,

I Awould Dnot Achange E7for Athine.

Verse

AI sent thee E7late a Arosy wBmreath,

ANot so E7much AhonoriE7ng Athee

AAs giving E7it a Ahope that Bmthere

AIt could E7not AwitherE7ed Abe;

Verse

But Athou thereon didst only breathe

And Dsent'st Ait back to meE,

ASince when it E7grows and Asmells, I Bmswear,

ANot of DitAself, E7but Athee.

Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes is based on a poem written in 1616 by Ben Jonson, later set to music in the 18th century. The song has moved easily between parlor, classical, jazz, and folk traditions, with notable recordings by John McCormack, Nat King Cole, Johnny Cash, Maxine Sullivan, Patricia Hammond, and Bryn Terfel. This performance features voice with acoustic guitar. Details: – Song: Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes – Poem: Ben Jonson (1616), England – Melody: 18th-century setting – Vox & acoustic guitar: Jason Paul