by Walter Scott, Sir (1771 - 1832)
For leagues along the watery way
Language: English
For leagues along the watery way, Through gulph and stream my course has been; The billows know my Runic lay, And smooth'd their crests to silent green. The billows know my Runic lay, - The gulph grows smooth, the stream is still; But human hearts, more wild than they, Know but the rule of wayward will. One hour is mine, in all the year, To tell my woes, - and one alone; When gleams this magic lamp, 'tis here, - When dies the mystic light, 'tis gone. Daughters of northern Magnus, hail! The lamp is lit, the flame is clear, - To you I come to tell my tale, Awake, arise, my tale to hear! -
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with The Pirate. By the Author of "Waverley, Kenilworth," &c. In three volumes. Vol. II. Edinburgh: Printed for Archibald Constable and Co. and Hurst, Robinson, and Co., London. 1822, page 126.
Note: The poem appears as Norna's song in the 19th chapter (denominated "Chapter VI.") of Walter Scott's novel.
Authorship:
- by Walter Scott, Sir (1771 - 1832), no title, appears in The Pirate, first published 1822 [author's text checked 2 times 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):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in German (Deutsch), a translation by Samuel Heinrich Spiker (1786 - 1858) , no title, first published 1822 ; composed by Franz Peter Schubert.
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-07
Line count: 16
Word count: 116