Welcome all you lords and all you ladies so fine, come and listen to my chronicle, to the chronicle of nine. I’ve come to sing you a ballad, just a rhyme, you might say, without reason, though it does tell a sad story and the story is reason enough. What does anything mean of itself and in itself save that it is a part of something else? Life happens, does it not? An herb flower, pulled from its bed, dies but lives, to flavor food. Saving your presence, my lords and ladies, come and listen to my chronicle, to the chronicle of nine.
The Chronicle of Nine
Opera by Arnold Rosner (1945 - 2013)
1. Welcome all you lords  [sung text checked 1 time]
Authorship:
- by Florence Stevenson (1922 - 1991), "Ballad", written 1975, appears in The Chronicle of Nine Days of Jane Grey, no. 2
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Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]2. Into thy hands I commend my spirit, O God  [sung text checked 1 time]
Into thy hands I commend my spirit, O God. Into thy hands I commend my soul. And the other said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingly power,” and he said unto him, “Truly, I say to you this day, you will be with me in Paradise.” It was now about the sixth hour and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour while the sun’s light failed and the curtain of the temple was torn in twain, then Jesus with a loud voice cried, “Father! Into thy hands I commend my spirit, O God. Into thy hands I commend my soul.” And having said this, he breathed his last.
Authorship:
- by Florence Stevenson (1922 - 1991), "Jane’s Prayer", written 1975, appears in The Chronicle of Nine Days of Jane Grey, no. 4
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Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]3. Now Edward was a king  [sung text checked 1 time]
Now Edward was a king, but he was ill and slight. And so it passed, my friends, that he did die one night. Jane Grey was sore frightened but she was Tudor born. And to the council chamber went the maiden so forlorn. Now Jane will be a queen and wear a velvet gown, with jewels upon her bosom and with a golden crown.
Authorship:
- by Florence Stevenson (1922 - 1991), "Ballad", written 1975, appears in The Chronicle of Nine Days of Jane Grey, no. 8
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Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]4. Northumberland to battle went  [sung text checked 1 time]
Northumberland to battle went with bold five hundred strong. He took the road to Norfolk, a turn so very wrong. Lord Dudley would die in August and swift the days would pass, while Mary reigned in London, a proper queen at last. Lady Jane will lie in prison till a Monday dawns full clear. Odd that the sun should shine so bright upon a day so drear.
Authorship:
- by Florence Stevenson (1922 - 1991), "Ballad", written 1975, appears in The Chronicle of Nine Days of Jane Grey, no. 13
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Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]5. Ripe strawberries, strawberries ripe  [sung text checked 1 time]
Ripe strawberries, strawberries ripe! A child for the gallows. Oh will ye buy sweet fine plums? Charms against the plague, oh will ye buy sweet fine plums? New oysters, just opened oysters, new oysters. Buy a gallows toy made very like the block! Buy a gallows toy made very like the block. Ale by the tankard! Chestnuts, hot! Drink by the tankard, ‘ave some ale! Oh will ye buy a fine gallows toy? A toy made very like the block! A charm against the plague! Oh, will ye buy sweet fine plums? New oysters, just opened oysters. For the gallows—strawberries ripe.
Authorship:
- by Florence Stevenson (1922 - 1991), "Chorus of Vendors", written 1975, appears in The Chronicle of Nine Days of Jane Grey, no. 16a
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Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]6. Good people, though I am innocent of the desire to betray my queen  [sung text checked 1 time]
Good people, though I am innocent of the desire to betray my queen, yet was I an accomplice by my presence, acquiescent in my silence. I hope my fate will serve as a warning for those who’d rise against the crown. If I can save one life dying thus, then I should not have died in vain! Now, good people, Jane Dudley bids you all a long farewell. Fare you well, a long farewell, farewell forevermore. I am glad it is a fair day; farewell. Into thy hands, I commend my spirit, O God!
Authorship:
- by Florence Stevenson (1922 - 1991), "Jane’s Farewell Aria", written 1975, appears in The Chronicle of Nine Days of Jane Grey, no. 16b
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Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]