He looked at me with eyes I thought I was not like to find, The voice he begged for pence with brought Another man to mind. Oh no, lad, never touch your cap; It is not my half-crown: You have it from a better chap That long ago lay down. Turn east and over Thames to Kent And come to the sea's brim, And find his everlasting tent And touch your cap to him.
Four Songs to Texts by A. E. Housman
Song Cycle by Robert Hugill
1. He looked at me  [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
Authorship:
- by Alfred Edward Housman (1859 - 1936), no title, appears in More Poems, no. 41, first published 1936
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]2. He would not stay for me  [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
He would not stay for me; and who can wonder? He would not stay for me to stand and gaze. I shook his hand and tore my heart in sunder And went with half my life about my ways.
Authorship:
- by Alfred Edward Housman (1859 - 1936), appears in A. E. H., first published 1937
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Researcher for this page: Ted Perry3. Because I liked you better  [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
Because I liked you better Than suits a man to say, It irked you, and I promised To throw the thought away. To put the world between us We parted, stiff and dry; "Good-bye," said you, "forget me." "I will, no fear," said I. If here, where clover whitens The dead man's knoll, you pass, And no tall flower to meet you Starts in the trefoiled grass, Halt by the headstone naming The heart no longer stirred, And say the lad that loved you Was one that kept his word.
Authorship:
- by Alfred Edward Housman (1859 - 1936), no title, appears in More Poems, no. 31, first published 1936
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Researcher for this page: Ted Perry4. A. J. J. ‑ When he's returned  [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
When he's returned I'll tell him -- oh, Dear fellow, I forgot: Time was you would have cared to know, But now it matters not. I mourn you, and you heed not how; Unsaid the word must stay; Last month was time enough, but now The news must keep for aye. Oh, many a month before I learn Will find me starting still And listening, as the days return, For him that never will. Strange, strange to think his blood is cold And mine flows easy on: And that straight look, that heart of gold, That grace, that manhood gone. The word unsaid will stay unsaid Though there was much to say; Last month was time enough: he's dead, The news must keep for aye.
Authorship:
- by Alfred Edward Housman (1859 - 1936), "A. J. J.", appears in More Poems, no. 42, first published 1936
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]Total word count: 327