Fish in the unruffled lakes : Six Auden Settings for High Voice and Piano

by (Edward) Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976)

1. To lie flat on the back
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
To lie flat on the back with the knees flexed
and sunshine on the soft receptive belly,
or face down, the insolent spine relaxed,
no more compelled to cower or to bully,
is good; and good to see them passing by
below on the white sidewalk in the heat,
the dog, the lady with parcels, and the boy:
there is the casual life outside the heart.
Yes, we are out of sight and earshot here.
Are you aware what weapon you are loading,
to what that teasing talk is quietly leading?
Our pulses count but do not judge the hour.
Who are you with, from whom you turn away,
At whom you dare not look? Do you know why?

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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 page: Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]

2. Night covers up the rigid land
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Night covers up the rigid land
     and ocean's quaking moor,
and shadows with a tolerant hand
     the ugly and the poor.
The wounded pride for which I weep
     you cannot staunch, nor I
control the moments of your sleep,
     nor hear the name you cry,
Whose life is lucky in your eyes,
     and precious is the bed
as to his utter fancy lies
     the dark caressive head.
For each love to its aim is true,
     and all kinds seek their own;
you love your life and I love you,
     so I must lie alone.

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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 page: Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]

3. The sun shines down

Language: English 
The sun shines down
 . . . . . . . . . .

— The rest of this text is not
currently in the database but will be
added as soon as we obtain it. —

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4. Fish in the unruffled lakes
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
 Fish in the unruffled lakes
Their swarming colours wear,
Swans in the winter air
A white perfection have,
And the great lion walks
Through his innocent grove;
Lion, fish and swan
Act, and are gone
Upon Time's toppling wave.

We, till shadowed days are done,
We must weep and sing
Duty's conscious wrong,
The Devil in the clock,
The goodness carefully worn
For atonement or for luck;
We must lose our loves,
On each beast and bird that moves
Turn an envious look.

Sighs for folly done and said
Twist our narrow days,
But I must bless, I must praise
That you, my swan, who have
All gifts that to the swan
Impulsive Nature gave,
The majesty and pride,
Last night should add
Your voluntary love.

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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 in Listener, April 1936

Researcher for this page: Malcolm Wren [Guest Editor]

5. What's in your mind?  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
What's in your mind, my dove, my coney;
Do thoughts grow like feathers, the dead end of life;
Is it making of love or counting of money,
Or a raid on the jewels, the plans of a thief?

Open your eyes, my dearest dallier;
Let hunt with your hands for escaping me;
Go through the motions of exploring the familiar;
Stand on the brink of the warm white day.

Rise with the wind, my great big serpent;
Silence the birds and darken the air;
Change me with terror, alive in a moment;
Strike for the heart and have me there.

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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 in Twentieth Century, November 1933 as one of "Two Poems"

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

6. Underneath the abject willow  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Underneath an abject willow,
Lover, sulk no more:
Act from thought should quickly follow.
What is thinking for?
Your unique and moping station
Proves you cold;
Stand up and fold
Your map of desolation.

Bells that toll across the meadows
From the sombre spire
Toll for these unloving shadows
Love does not require.
All that lives may love; why longer
Bow to loss
With arms across?
Strike and you shall conquer.

Geese in flocks above you flying.
Their direction know,
[Icy brooks beneath you flowing,
To their ocean go.
Dark and dull is your distraction]1:
Walk then, come,
No longer numb
Into your satisfaction.

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • GER German (Deutsch) (Elaine Marie Ortiz-Arandes) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

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.

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Britten: 
Brooks beneath the thin ice flowing,
To their ocean go.
Coldest love will warm  to action

Researcher for this page: Elaine Marie Ortiz-Arandes
Total word count: 545