Songs from the published writings of Alfred Tennyson

?. The beggar maid  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Her arms across her breast she laid;
   She was more fair than words can say;
Barefooted came the beggar maid
   Before the king Cophetua.
In robe and crown the king stept down,
   To meet and greet her on her way;
"It is no wonder," said the lords,
   "She is more beautiful than day."

And shines the moon in clouded skies,
   She in poor attire was seen:
One praised her ankles, one her eyes,
   One her dark hair and lovesome mien.
So, sweet a face, such angel grace, 
   In all that land had never been:
Cophetua sware a royal oath:
   "That beggar maid shall be my queen!"

Text Authorship:

Set by Joseph Barnby, Sir (1838 - 1896), published 1880 [ voice and piano ], London : C. Kegan Paul

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

?. Merlin's song
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Rain, rain, and sun! a rainbow in the sky!
A young man will be wiser by and by;
An old man's wit may wander ere he die.
Rain, rain, and sun! a rainbow on the lea!
And truth is this to me, and that to thee;
And truth or clothed or naked let it be.
Rain, sun, and rain! and the free blossom blows:
Sun, rain, and sun! and where is he who knows?
From the great deep to the great deep he goes.

Text Authorship:

Set by Joseph Joachim (1831 - 1907), published 1880, London : C. Kegan Paul

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

?. The Song of King Arthur's Knights  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Blow, trumpet, for the world is white with May;
Blow trumpet, the long night hath rolled away!
Blow through the living world -- "Let the King reign."

Shall Rome or Heathen rule in Arthur's realm?
Flash brand and lance, fall battleaxe upon helm,
Fall battleaxe, and flash brand! Let the King reign.

Strike for the King and live! his knights have heard
That God hath told the King a secret word.
Fall battleaxe, and flash brand! Let the King reign.

Blow trumpet! he will lift us from the dust.
Blow trumpet! live the strength and die the lust!
Clang battleaxe, and clash brand! Let the King reign.

Strike for the King and die! and if thou diest,
The King is King, and ever wills the highest.
Clang battleaxe, and clash brand! Let the King reign.

Blow, for our Sun is mighty in his May!
Blow, for our Sun is mightier day by day!
Clang battleaxe, and clash brand! Let the King reign.

The King will follow Christ, and we the King
In whom high God hath breathed a secret thing.
Fall battleaxe, and flash brand! Let the King reign.

Text Authorship:

Set by William George Cusins (1833 - 1893), published 1880 [ four-part chorus a cappella ], London, C. Kegan Paul

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 378