Will's at the dance in the Club-room below, Where the tall liquor-cups foam; I on the pavement up here by the Bow, Wait, wait, to steady him home. Will and his partner are treading a tune, Loving companions they be; Willy, before we were married in June, Said he loved no one but me; Said he would let his old pleasures all go Ever to live with his Dear. Will's at the dance in the Club-room below, Shivering I wait for him here.
Three Hardy Conversations
Song Cycle by Betty Roe (b. 1930)
1. A Wife Waits  [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
Authorship:
- by Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928), "A Wife Waits", appears in Time's Laughingstocks and Other Verses, in At Casterbridge Fair, no. 6, first published 1909
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Note: A "bow" is a curved corner by a cross-street.Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
2. Farmer Dunman's Funeral  [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
"Bury me on a Sunday" He said, "so as to see Poor folk there; 'tis their one day To spare for burying me." With forethought of that Sunday He wrote while he was well, "On ten rum bottles one day Drink for my funeral." They buried him on a Sunday So folk might not be balked His wish, as 'twas their one day, And forty couples walked. They said to have it Sunday Was always his concern, His meaning being that one day He'd do us a good turn. We must, had it been Monday, Have got it over soon. But now we gain, being Sunday, A jolly afternoon.
Authorship:
- by Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928)
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Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]3. The Orphaned Old Maid  [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
I wanted to marry, but father said, "No - 'Tis weakness in women to give themselves so; If you care for your freedom you'll listen to me, Make a spouse in your pocket, and let the men be." I spake on't again and again: father cried, "Why -- if you go husbanding, where shall I bide? For never a home's for me elsewhere than here!" And I yielded; for father had ever been dear. But now father's gone, and I feel growing old, And I'm lonely and poor in this house on the wold, And my sweetheart that was found a partner elsewhere, And nobody flings me a thought or a care.
Authorship:
- by Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928)
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Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]Total word count: 304