Three Songs for Mezzo-Soprano

by Gardner Read (1913 - 2005)

1. Lullaby for a dark hour
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
O hearts that are heavy with earth
 [ ... ]

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2. River Night
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Up and down the river the barges go
 [ ... ]

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3. As I walked through the meadows
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
As I walked through the meadows to take the fresh air,     
The flowers were blooming and gay;     
I heard a fair damsel so sweetly asinging.     
Her cheeks like a blossom in May.
  
Said I: Pretty maiden and how came you here     
In the meadows this morning so soon?     
The maid she replied: For to gather some may,     
For the trees thay are all in full bloom.
 
Said I: Pretty maiden shall I go with you     
To the meadows to gather some may?     
O no, sir, she said, I would rather refuse,    
For I fear you would lead me astray.

Then I took this fair maid by the lily-white hand;     
On the green mossy bank we sat down;     
And I placed a kiss on her sweet rosy lips,     
While the small birds were singing around.

And when we arose from the green mossy bank,     
To the meadows we wandered away;     
I placed my love on a primrose bank     
While I picked her a handful of may.

Then early next morning I made her my bride,     
That the world might have nothing to say,     
The bells they did ring and the birds they did sing,     
And I crowned her the sweet Queen of May.

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 376