O what is that sound which so thrills the ear Down in the valley drumming, drumming? Only the scarlet soldiers, dear, The soldiers coming. O what is that light I see flashing so clear Over the distance brightly, brightly? Only the sun on their weapons, dear, As they step lightly. O what are they doing with all that gear, What are they doing this morning, morning? Only their usual manoeuvres, dear, Or perhaps a warning. O why have they left the road down there, Why are they suddenly wheeling, wheeling? Perhaps a change in their orders, dear, Why are you kneeling? O haven't they stopped for the doctor's care, Haven't they reined their horses, horses? Why, they are none of them wounded, dear, None of these forces. O is it the parson they want, with white hair, Is it the parson, is it, is it? No, they are passing his gateway, dear, Without a visit. O it must be the farmer that lives so near. It must be the farmer so cunning, so cunning? They have passed the farmyard already, dear, And now they are running. O where are you going? Stay with me here! Were the vows you swore deceiving, deceiving? No, I promised to love you, dear, But I must be leaving. O it's broken the lock and splintered the door, O it's the gate where they're turning, turning; Their boots are heavy on the floor And their eyes are burning.
Alive in a Moment
Song Cycle by Daron Aric Hagen (b. 1961)
1. Rondo: O What is That Sound  [sung text not yet checked]
Text Authorship:
- by W. H. (Wystan Hugh) Auden (1907 - 1973), "Ballad", from New Verse, December 1934, revised 1945, revised 1958
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]2. Variations: Orpheus
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Text Authorship:
- by W. H. (Wystan Hugh) Auden (1907 - 1973), "Orpheus"
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3. Song: Epitaph on a Tyrant  [sung text not yet checked]
Perfection, of a kind, was what he was after, And the poetry he invented was easy to understand; He knew human folly like the back of his hand, And was greatly interested in armies and fleets; When he laughed, respectable senators burst with laughter, And when he cried the little children died in the streets.
Text Authorship:
- by W. H. (Wystan Hugh) Auden (1907 - 1973), "Epitaph on a tyrant"
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
First published New Statesman and Nation, January 1939Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
4. Interlude: A Moment
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5. Song: The Composer
All the others translate
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Text Authorship:
- by W. H. (Wystan Hugh) Auden (1907 - 1973), "The composer"
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First published in New Writing, Spring 19396. Scherzo: In Moments of Joy
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7. Closing Hymn: Alive in a Moment
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