by John Harris (1820 - 1884)
Gyllyngdune
Language: English
How pleasant here at cool of day Along the winding walks to stray, Where ebbs and flows the murmuring main, Whose music fills the woodbine lane, High on the beach with shingles strewn, As rise thy vespers, Gyllyngdune ! It is not meet to pass through life For ever in the city's strife, Where noise and clamour bear the sway: Then, weary worker, come away; Its gentle calm shall cheer thee soon, Though thou drop tears at Gyllyngdune ! I care but little for the crowd, Whose empty caskets rattle loud ; Or towns o'erflowed with selfish men, Where guilt exists in darksome den ; Or gilded hall, or gay saloon : No; rather give me Gyllyngdune. How fresh the waves break on the shore ! How gently drips the boatman's oar ! How grandly the white sea-gulls ride ! How gracefully the swallows glide ! While floats the sailor's merry tune Upon the breeze at Gyllyngdune. And old Pendennis on his height Looks down well-pleased on such a sight. There stands he like a warrior bold, Nor heeds he heat nor heeds he cold, From burst of morn till night's dark noon, To guard my lovely Gyllyngdune. When last I chanced to ramble here, The winds were still, the skies were clear; Two lovers sat upon a seat, With ocean shining at their feet, Whispering their loves beneath the moon, Which filled with silver Gyllyngdune. Dear home of love ! sweet haunt of peace ! Here weary life's dark bickerings cease. A sacred song is on the air Which lulls to rest the storm of care, And lifts the heart to heaven's high noon ; My beautiful, my Gyllyngdune !
Authorship:
- by John Harris (1820 - 1884), "Gyllyngdune", appears in Bulo; Reuben Ross; A tale of the Manacles; hymn, song, and story, first published 1871 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Michael (Dewar) Head (1900 - 1976), "Gyllyngdune" [voice and piano], from Nine Cornish Songs, no. 5. [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-04-18
Line count: 42
Word count: 281