by Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775 - 1818)
Why, fair maid in every feature
Language: English
Why, fair maid in every feature, Are such signs so fair expressed? Can a wandering wretched creature With such terror fill thy breast? Does my frenzy look so ugly? Trust me, sweet, life's airs are vain, Not for kingdoms would I harm thee, Shun not then, poor Crazy Jane. Does my frenzy seem to harm thee? Mark me and avoid my woe, When men flatter, sigh, and languish, Think them false, I found them so. For I love thee so sincerely None could ever love again, Young Henry fled and with him forever Fled the wits of Crazy Jane. Fondly my young heart receiv'd him, Which was doomed to love but one. He sighed - he vowed - and I believed him, He was false - and I undone. Since that hour has reason never Held her empire o'er my brain, Young Henry fled and with him forever Fled the wits of Crazy Jane. Lonely now and broken hearted, And with frenzied thoughts beset On that spot where last we parted, On that spot where first we met. Then I will sing my lovelorn ditty, Still I'll lonely pace the plain, And each passerby in pity cries: "God help poor Crazy Jane!"
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775 - 1818), first published <<1841 [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 Harriet Abrams (1760 - 1825), "Crazy Jane : a favorite song", published 1798? [ voice and piano ], London : L. Lavenu [sung text not yet checked]
- by John Davy (1763 - 1824), "Crazy Jane", 1800, many textual changes [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2009-11-02
Line count: 32
Word count: 202