When Shakespeare came to London He met no shouting throngs; He carried in his knapsack A scroll of quiet songs. No proud heraldic trumpet Acclaimed him on his way; Their court and camp have perished; The songs live on for ay. Nobody saw or heard them, But, all around him there, Spirits of light and music Went treading the April air. He passed like any pedlar, Yet he had wealth untold. The galleons of th' armada Could not contain his gold. The kings rode on to darkness. In England's conquering hour, Unseen arrived her splendour; Unknown, her conquering power.
Pageant of Empire
Song Cycle by Edward Elgar, Sir (1857 - 1934)
1. Shakespeare's Kingdom
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by Alfred Noyes (1880 - 1958), "Shakespeare's Kingdom"
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Le royaume de Shakespeare", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
2. The Islands (A Song of New Zealand)
Language: English
— This text is not currently
in the database but will be added
as soon as we obtain it. —
3. The Blue Mountains (A Song of Australia) [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Over the Blue Mountains The sun at evening went; And there was nought beyond them, And we were well content. Yet, over the Blue Mountains, As birds at evening may, Though there was nought beyond them, Our dreams began to stray. The Southern Cross came riding, Like Gabriel overhead, Up to the shining summits; We followed where it led. We left the world behind us -- The mists of time unfurled. And over the Blue Mountains We found a greater world.
Text Authorship:
- by Alfred Noyes (1880 - 1958)
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]4. The Heart of Canada [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
July 1912 Because her heart is all too proud -- Canada! Canada! fair young Canada -- To breathe the might of her love aloud, Be quick, O Motherland! Because her soul is wholly free -- Canada kneels, thy daughter, Canada -- England, look in her eyes and see, Honour and understand. Because her pride at thy masthead shines, -- Canada! Canada! -- queenly Canada Bows with all her breathing pines, All her fragrant firs. Because our isle is little and old -- Canada! Canada! -- young-eyed Canada Gives thee, Mother, her hands to hold, And makes thy glory hers. Because thy Fleet is hers for aye, -- Canada! Canada! -- clear-souled Canada, Ere the war-cloud roll this way, Bids the world beware. Her heart, her soul, her sword are thine -- Thine the guns, the guns of Canada! -- The ships are foaming into line, And Canada will be there.
Text Authorship:
- by Alfred Noyes (1880 - 1958)
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]5. Sailing westward
Language: English
— This text is not currently
in the database but will be added
as soon as we obtain it. —
6. Merchant adventurers
Language: English
— This text is not currently
in the database but will be added
as soon as we obtain it. —
7. The Immortal Legions
Language: English
— This text is not currently
in the database but will be added
as soon as we obtain it. —
8. A Song of Union
Language: English
— This text is not currently
in the database but will be added
as soon as we obtain it. —
Total word count: 318