Dear, shall we talk or will that cloud the sky? Will you be Mother Comfort or shall I? If I should love him where would our lives be? And if you turn him out at last, then friendship pity me! My longing, like my heart, beats to and fro. Oh that a single life could be both Yes and No. Ashamed to grant and frightened to refuse – Pity has chosen: Power has still to choose. But darling, when that stretched out will is tired Surely your timid prettiness longs to be overpowered? Sure gossips have this sweet facility To tell transparent lies and, without pain, to cry. Will you be Mother Comfort or shall I?
Two Ballads for two voices and piano
Song Cycle by (Edward) Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976)
1. Mother Comfort
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by Montagu Slater (1902 - 1956)
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- GER German (Deutsch) (Elaine Marie Ortiz-Arandes) , "Mutter Trost", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]2. Underneath the abject willow [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Underneath an abject willow, Lover, sulk no more: Act from thought should quickly follow. What is thinking for? Your unique and moping station Proves you cold; Stand up and fold Your map of desolation. Bells that toll across the meadows From the sombre spire Toll for these unloving shadows Love does not require. All that lives may love; why longer Bow to loss With arms across? Strike and you shall conquer. Geese in flocks above you flying. Their direction know, [Icy brooks beneath you flowing, To their ocean go. Dark and dull is your distraction]1: Walk then, come, No longer numb Into your satisfaction.
Text Authorship:
- by W. H. (Wystan Hugh) Auden (1907 - 1973), no title, appears in Look, Stranger!, first published 1936
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- GER German (Deutsch) (Elaine Marie Ortiz-Arandes) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
View original text (without footnotes)1 Britten:
Brooks beneath the thin ice flowing, To their ocean go. Coldest love will warm to action
Researcher for this page: Elaine Marie Ortiz-Arandes
Total word count: 220