At sixteen years she knew no care; How could she, sweet and pure as light? And there pursued her ev’rywhere Butterflies, butterflies all white. A lover looked—she dropped her eyes, That glowed like pansies wet with dew, And lo! there came from out the skies Butterflies, butterflies all blue. Before she guessed, her heart was gone; The tale of love was swiftly told, And all about her wheeled and shone Butterflies of gold. Then he forsook her one sad morn; She wept and sobbed, “Oh love, come back!” There only came to her forlorn, Butterflies, butterflies all black.
Three Songs , opus 53
by Henry Kimball Hadley (1871 - 1937)
1. Butterflies  [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
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No author listed on Hadley's score, instead noting the poem is "From 'For the Crown'"
Researcher for this page: Garrett Medlock [Guest Editor]
2. Als die junge Rose blühte  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch)
Als die junge Rose blühte Und die Nachtigall gesungen, Hast du mich geherzt, geküsset, Und mit Zärtlichkeit umschlungen. Nun der Herbst die Ros entblättert Und die Nachtigall vertrieben, Bist du auch davon geflogen Und ich bin allein geblieben. Lang und kalt sind schon die Nächte - Sag wie lange wirst du säumen? Soll ich immer mich begnügen Nur von altem Glück zu träumen?
Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), "Geträumtes Glück", appears in Nachgelesene Gedichte 1828-1844 , no. 2
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]3. Evening song  [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
Look off, dear Love, across the sallow sands, And mark yon meeting of the sun and sea, How long they kiss in sight of all the lands. Ah! longer, longer, we. Now in the sea's red vintage melts the sun, As Egypt's pearl dissolved in rosy wine, And Cleopatra night drinks all. 'Tis done, Love, lay thine hand in mine. Come forth, sweet stars, and comfort heaven's heart; Glimmer, ye waves, round else unlighted sands. O night! divorce our sun and sky apart Never our lips, our hands.
Authorship:
- by Sidney Lanier (1842 - 1881), "Evening song", appears in Poems of Sidney Lanier, first published 1884
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]