Far across the desert sands, I hear the camel-bells; Merchants have come from alien lands, With stuffs, and gems, and silken bands, Back where their old love dwells. O my belovèd, far away Are cities by the sea; Yet should I go to far Cathay For many a weary night and day, My dreams were still of thee.
A lover in Damascus
Song Cycle by Amy Woodforde-Finden (1860 - 1919)
1. Far across the desert sands  [sung text checked 1 time]
Authorship:
- by Charles Hanson Towne (1877 - 1949), no title, appears in The Quiet Singer and Other Poems, in 86. A Lover in Damascus, no. 1, New York, B. W. Dodge & Company, first published 1908
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Confirmed with The Quiet Singer and Other Poems by Charles Hanson Towne, B. W. Dodge & Company, New York 1908, Page 124.
Research team for this page: John Glenn Paton [Guest Editor] , Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]
2. Where the Abana flows  [sung text checked 1 time]
Through the old city’s silence, Where the Abana flows, [O]1 harken to the nightingale Sing lyrics to the rose! But through the dusk no answer Is ever [breathed]2 or sung, [Tho’]3 the bird’s heart with pleading The whole night long is wrung. Yet well the lonely songster Knows that the red rose hears. ... Ah, Love, I need no answer, But let me see your tears!
Authorship:
- by Charles Hanson Towne (1877 - 1949), no title, appears in The Quiet Singer and Other Poems, in 86. A Lover in Damascus, no. 2, New York, B. W. Dodge & Company, first published 1908
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View original text (without footnotes)1 Woodforde-Finden: "Oh,"
2 Woodforde-Finden: "breath’d"
3 Woodforde-Finden: "Though"
Confirmed with The Quiet Singer and Other Poems by Charles Hanson Towne, B. W. Dodge & Company, New York 1908, Page 125.
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , John Glenn Paton [Guest Editor] , Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]
3. Beloved, in your absence  [sung text checked 1 time]
Belovèd, in your absence I have told My love for you to every little flower -- Vermilion, pink and purple, red and gold -- That blossoms in our fragrant-hearted bower. And should I die ere you come back again, Would not the rose my golden vows repeat? Yes, every bloom would whisper through the rain, And fling its perfumed message at your feet!
Authorship:
- by Charles Hanson Towne (1877 - 1949), no title, appears in The Quiet Singer and Other Poems, in 86. A Lover in Damascus, no. 3, New York, B. W. Dodge & Company, first published 1908
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Confirmed with Charles Hanson Towne, The Quiet Singer and Other Poems B. W. Dodge & Company, New York 1908, Page 126.
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , John Glenn Paton [Guest Editor] , Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]
4. How many a lonely caravan  [sung text checked 1 time]
How many a lonely caravan sets out On its long journey o’er the desert, Doubt, Yet comes back home laden with ivory, With gold, and gums, and scarfs from oversea. So went my lonely heart forth on its quest; Through torrid wastes and parchèd ways it pressed. Empty and sad it left the city gate, But came back with your precious love for freight!
Authorship:
- by Charles Hanson Towne (1877 - 1949), no title, appears in The Quiet Singer and Other Poems, in 86. A Lover in Damascus, no. 4, New York, B. W. Dodge & Company, first published 1908
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Confirmed with Charles Hanson Towne, The Quiet Singer and Other Poems, B. W. Dodge & Company, New York, 1908, Page 127.
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , John Glenn Paton [Guest Editor] , Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]
5. If in the great bazaars  [sung text checked 1 time]
If in the great bazaars They sold the golden stars, Belovèd, there should be A necklace strung for thee, More wonderful than any known or dreamed of, Love, by me. If wealth could buy the mist By Dawn’s pale, pearl lips kissed, Belovèd, there should be A white veil wrought for thee, More marvellous than that faint film which hangs above the sea.
Authorship:
- by Charles Hanson Towne (1877 - 1949), no title, appears in The Quiet Singer and Other Poems, in 86. A Lover in Damascus, no. 5, New York, B. W. Dodge & Company, first published 1908
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Confirmed with The Quiet Singer and Other Poems by Charles Hanson Towne, B. W. Dodge & Company, New York 1908, Page 128.
Research team for this page: John Glenn Paton [Guest Editor] , Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]
6. Allah be with us  [sung text checked 1 time]
Ah! when the dark on many a heart descends, Our joy more swiftly runs; Heart of my heart, our great love never ends, Though set ten thousand suns! Allah be with us when that last deep night Shall wrap us round about; And Love be with us, with her steadfast light, When Death our lamp [blows]1 out!
Authorship:
- by Charles Hanson Towne (1877 - 1949), appears in The Quiet Singer and Other Poems, in 86. A Lover in Damascus, no. 6, New York, B. W. Dodge & Company, first published 1908
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View original text (without footnotes)Confirmed with The Quiet Singer and Other Poems by Charles Hanson Towne, B. W. Dodge & Company, New York 1908, Page 129.
1A Woodford-Finden: "burns"Research team for this page: John Glenn Paton [Guest Editor] , Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]