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Three songs , opus 6

by Margaret Ruthven Lang (1867 - 1972)

1. Chinese song
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
On my flute, tipped with jade,
I sang a song to mortals; 
but the mortals did not understand.

Then I lifted my flute to the heavens, 
and I sang my song to the Sages.

The Sages rejoiced together, 
they danced on the glistening clouds.

And now mortals understand me, 
when I sing to the sound 
of my flute tipped with jade.

Text Authorship:

  • by Stuart Merrill (1863 - 1915)

Based on:

  • a text in French (Français) by Judith Gautier (1845 - 1917), "Les sages dansent", appears in Le livre de jade, 1867 edition, in 7. Les poëtes, no. 1, Paris, Alphonse Lemerre, first published 1867
    • Go to the text page.

Based on:

  • a text in Chinese (中文) by Li-Tai-Po (701 - 762) [text unavailable]
    • Go to the text page.

See other settings of this text.

2. A bed‑time song
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Sway to and fro in the twilight gray,
  This is the ferry for Shadowtown;
It only sails at the end of the day,
  Just as the darkness closes down.

Rest, little head, on my shoulder, now;
  A sleepy kiss is the only fare,
Drifting away from the world we go,
  Baby and I in the rocking chair.

See, where the fire-logs glow and spark,
  Glitter the lights of the Shadowland;
The raining drops on the window -- hark!
  Are the ripples lapping upon its strand.

There, where the mirror is glancing dim,
  A lake lies shimmering, cool and still;
Blossoms are waving above its brim --
  Those over there on the window-sill.

Rock slow, more slow, in the dusky light;
  Silently lower the anchor down.
Dear little passenger say, "Good night," 
  We've reached the harbor of Shadowtown.

Text Authorship:

  • possibly by Lillian Dynevor Rice (d. 1933), "A bed-time song", first published c1889
  • possibly by Frederick News, MD. , "A bed-time song", first published c1889

See other settings of this text.

Note: this poem has been attributed to various authors in different publications. Sometimes it is included without an author or given as being "from St. Nicholas".

3. Lament
 (Sung text)

Language: French (Français) 
Adieu soulas, tout plaisir et liesse
Mon pauvre cœur si vit en grand tristesse,
Pour les regrets que j'ay mon amy:
Helas! Il ma failly. 

Je m'en iray lassus au verd bocaige
La je feray fonder un hermitage,
Ou je vivray en doucer et soulay
Et tout pout mon amy!

Text Authorship:

  • by S. Galler

Go to the general single-text view

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Anonymous/Unidentified Artist)

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