Strings in the earth and air Make music sweet; Strings by the river where The willows meet. There's music along the river [For Love wanders there,]1 Pale [flowers]2 on his mantle, Dark leaves on his hair. All softly playing, With head to [the]3 music bent, And fingers straying Upon an instrument.
Chamber music
Song Cycle by (Kurt) Rudolf Mengelberg (1892 - 1959)
1. Strings in the earth and air [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 1, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 omitted by Berio
2 Coulthard: "flow'rs"
3 omitted by Coulthard
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
2. Lean out of the window [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Lean out of the window, Goldenhair, I heard you singing A merry air. My book is closed; I read no more, Watching the fire dance On the floor. I have left my book, I have left my room, For I heard you singing Through the gloom, Singing and singing A merry air. Lean out of the window, Goldenhair.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 5, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- IRI Irish (Gaelic) [singable] (Gabriel Rosenstock) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
3. Winds of May, that dance on the sea [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Winds of May, that dance on the sea, Dancing a ring-around in glee From furrow to furrow, while overhead The foam flies up to be garlanded, In silvery arches spanning the air, Saw you my true love anywhere? Welladay! Welladay! For the winds of May! Love is unhappy when love is away!
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 9, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
4. My dove, my beautiful one [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
My dove, my beautiful one, Arise, arise! The night-dew lies Upon my lips and eyes. The odorous winds are weaving A music of sighs: Arise, arise, My dove, my beautiful one! I wait by the cedar tree, My sister, my love. White breast of the dove, My breast shall be your bed. The pale dew lies Like a veil on my head. My fair one, my fair dove, Arise, arise!1
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 14, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 Szymanowski adds "My dove, my beautiful one!"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
5. Because your voice was at my side [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Because your voice was at my side I gave him pain, Because within my hand I held Your hand again. There is no word nor any sign Can make amend He is a stranger to me now Who was my friend.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 17, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
6. O it was out by Donnycarney [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
O, it was out by Donnycarney When the bat flew from tree to tree My love and I did walk together; And sweet were the words she said to me. Along with us the summer wind Went murmuring - O, happily! - But softer than the breath of summer Was the kiss she gave to me.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 31, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
7. Rain has fallen all the day [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Rain has fallen all the day. O come among the laden trees: The leaves lie thick upon the way Of [mem'ries.]1 Staying a little by the way Of [mem'ries]1 shall we depart. Come, my beloved, where I may Speak to your heart.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 32, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Walter Riemer) , "Es hat geregnet", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (Sol Crespo) , copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 Szymanowski: "memories"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
8. Sleep now, O sleep now [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Sleep now, O sleep now, O you unquiet heart! A voice crying "Sleep now" Is heard in my heart. The voice of the winter Is heard at the door. O sleep, for the winter Is crying "Sleep no more." My kiss will give peace now And quiet to your heart - Sleep on in peace now, O you unquiet heart!
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 34, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Walter Riemer) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
9. I hear an army charging upon the land [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
I hear an army charging upon the land, And the thunder of horses plunging, foam about their knees: Arrogant, in black armour, behind them stand, Disdaining the reins, with flutt'ring whips, the charioteers. They cry unto the night their battlename: I moan in sleep when I hear afar their whirling laughter. They cleave the gloom of dreams, a blinding flame, Clanging, clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil. They come shaking in triumph their long, green hair: They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore. My heart, have you no wisdom thus to despair? My love, my love, why have you left me alone?
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 36, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Walter Riemer) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Total word count: 536