Album of Seven Songs

by Arthur Somervell, Sir (1863 - 1937)

1. The Mad Lover's Song

Language: English 
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2. Three shadows  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
I looked and saw your eyes 
In the shadow of your hair, 
As a traveller sees the stream 
In the shadow of the wood; 
And I said, "My faint heart sighs, 
Ah me! to linger there, 
To drink deep and to dream 
In that sweet solitude."
I looked and saw your heart 
In the shadow of your eyes, 
As a seeker sees the gold 
In the shadow of the stream; 
And I said, "Ah me! what art 
Should win the immortal prize, 
Whose want must make life cold 
And Heaven a hollow dream?"
I looked and saw your love 
In the shadow of your heart, 
As a diver sees the pearl 
In the shadow of the sea; 
And I murmured, not above 
My breath, but all apart,-- 
"Ah! you can love, true girl, 
And is your love for me?"

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3. The Mother's Dream

Language: English 
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4. Young Sir Guyon

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5. Lay a garland  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Lay a garland on my hearse,
  Of the dismal yew,
Maidens, willow branches [bear]1,
  Say I died true.

My love was false, but I was firm
  [From my hour of birth;]2
Upon my buried body lie
  Lightly, [gentle]3 earth.

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

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1 Pearsall, A. Taylor: "wear"
2 omitted by Pearsall and A. Taylor
3 Pearsall, A. Taylor: "thou gentle"

Researcher for this page: Ted Perry

6. O Nanny wilt thou gang with me  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Oh! Nanny, wilt thou go with me,
Nor sigh to leave the flaunting town?
Can silent glens have charms for thee,
The lowly cot and russet gown?
No longer drest in silken sheen,
No longer deck'd with jewels rare -
Say, canst thou quiet each courtly scene
Where thou wert fairest of the fair?

Oh! Nanny, when thou'rt far away,
Wilt thou not cast a wish behind?
Say, canst thou face the parching rays
Nor shrink before the cruel wind,
Or when thy swain mishap shall rue,
To share with him the pangs of woe?
Oh! Nanny, canst thou love so true,
Thro' perils keen with me to go?

Oh! Nanny, wilt thou go with me,
Nor sigh to leave the flaunting town?
Can silent glens have charms for thee,
The lowly cot and russet gown?
No longer drest in silken sheen,
No longer deck'd with jewels rare -
Say, canst thou quiet each courtly scene
Where thou wert fairest of the fair?

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7. O my Queen

Language: English 
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Total word count: 340