Spell Against Sorrow

Song Cycle by Helen Gifford (b. 1935)

1. Spell Against Sorrow  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Who will take away
Carry away sorrow,
Bear away grief/

Stream wash away
Float away sorrow,
Flow away, bear away
Wear away sorrow,
Carry away grief.

Mists hide away
Shroud my sorrow,
Cover the mountains,
Overcloud remembrance,
Hide away grief.

Earth take away
Make away sorrow,
Bury the lark's bones
Under the turf.
Bury my grief.

Black crow tear away
Rend away sorrow,
Talon and beak
Pluck out the heart
And the nerves of pain,
Tear away grief.

Sun take away
Melt away sorrow,
Dew lies grey,
Rain hangs on the grass,
Sun dry tears.

Sleep take away
Make away sorrow,
Take away the time,
Fade away place,
Carry me away
From the world of my sorrow.

Song sigh away
Breathe away sorrow,
Words tell away,
Spell away sorrow,
Charm away grief.

Text Authorship:

  • by Kathleen Raine (1908 - 2003), "Spell Against Sorrow", written 1952

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Researcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]

2. Statues

Language: English 
They more than we are what we are: Serenity and joy
 . . . . . . . . . .

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Text Authorship:

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3. On A Deserted Shore  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Sea-change
 [ ... ]

Text Authorship:

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Total word count: 153