by Li-Tai-Po (701 - 762)
Translation by Launcelot Alfred Cranmer-Byng (1872 - 1945)
They gather lilies down the stream
Language: English  after the Chinese (中文)
They gather lilies down the stream, A net of willows drooping low Hides boat from boat; and to and fro Sweet whispered confidences seem 'Mid laughing trills to flow. In the green deeps a shaft of gold Limns their elaborate attire; Through silken sleeves the winds aspire, Embalmed, to stray, and, growing bold, Swell them to their desire. But who are these, the cavaliers That gleam along the river-side? By three, by five they prance with pride Beyond the willow-line that sheers Over the trellised tide. A charger neighs; one turns to start, Crushing the kingcups as he flies, And one pale maiden vainly tries To hush the tumult in her heart And veil the secret of her eyes.
G. Bantock sets stanzas 1, 3-4
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Launcelot Alfred Cranmer-Byng (1872 - 1945), "On the Banks of Jo-yeh", appears in A Lute of Jade, being selections from the classical poets of China, first published 1909 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Chinese (中文) by Li-Tai-Po (701 - 762) [text unavailable]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Granville Ransome Bantock, Sir (1868 - 1946), "On the banks of Jo-Eh", published 1943, copyright © 1935, stanzas 1,3-4 [ voice and piano ], from Songs from the Chinese Poets: Set IV, no. 3 [sung text checked 1 time]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in French (Français), a translation by Franz Toussaint (1879 - 1955) , "Sur les bords du Jo-Yeh", appears in La flûte de jade, Paris, Éd. H. Piazza, first published 1920 ; composed by Henk Badings.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2009-02-26
Line count: 20
Word count: 119