I fell in love with the Major Spruce And never gave a sign The sweetest major in the force And only 39. It is Major Spruce And he's grown such a bore, such a bore, I used to think I was in love with him Well, I don't think so any more. It was the Major Spruce. He died. Didn't I tell you? He was the last of the Spruces, And about time too.
Stevie Smith Songs
Song Cycle by (Agnes) Elisabeth Lutyens (1906 - 1983)
1. Progression
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by Stevie Smith (1903 - 1971), "Progression", appears in a good time was had by all, first published 1937
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]2. The songster
Language: English
Miss Pauncefort sang at the top of her voice (Sing tirry-lirry-lirry down the lane) And nobody knew what she sang about (Sing tirry-lirry-lirry all the same).
Text Authorship:
- by Stevie Smith (1903 - 1971), "The songster", appears in a good time was had by all, first published 1937
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]3. Up and down
Language: English
Up and down the streets they go Tapping tapping to and fro What they see I do not know Up and down the streets they hurry Push and rush and jerk and worry Full of ineffectual flurry Up and down the streets they run From morning to the set of sun I shall be glad when they have done I shall be glad when there's an end Of all the noise that doth offend My soul. Still Night, don cloak, descend.
Text Authorship:
- by Stevie Smith (1903 - 1971), "Up and down", appears in a good time was had by all, first published 1937
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]4. Ceux qui luttent
Language: French (Français)
Ceux qui luttent ce sont ceux qui vivent. And down here they luttent a very great deal indeed. But if life be the desideratum, why grieve, ils vivent.
Text Authorship:
- by Stevie Smith (1903 - 1971), "Ceux qui luttent", appears in Tender Only to One, first published 1938
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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]5. Be off!
Language: English
I'm sorry to say my dear wife is a dreamer, And as she dreams she gets paler and leaner, "Then be off to your Dream, with his fly-away hat, I'll stay with the girls who are happy and fat."
Text Authorship:
- by Stevie Smith (1903 - 1971), "Be off!", appears in Mother, What is Man?, first published 1942
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]6. Lady "Rogue" Singleton
Language: English
Come, wed me, Lady Singleton, And we will have a baby son And we will live in Edmonton Where all the friendly people run. I could never make you happy, darling, Or give you the baby you want, I would always very much rather, dear, Live in a tent. I am not a cold woman, Henry, But I do not feel for you, What I feel for the elephants and the miasmas And the general view.
Text Authorship:
- by Stevie Smith (1903 - 1971), "Lady "Rogue" Singleton", appears in Mother, What is Man?, first published 1942
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]7. The film star
Language: French (Français)
Donnez à manger aux affamées It is a film star who passes this way He is looking so nice the women would like To have him on a tray Donnez à manger aux affamées
Text Authorship:
- by Stevie Smith (1903 - 1971), "The film star", appears in Mother, What is Man?, first published 1942
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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]8. The actress
Language: English
I can't say I enjoyed it, but the pay was good. Oh how I weep and toil in this world of wood! Longing in the city for the pursuit of beautiful scenery, I earn my bread upon the Stage, amid painted greenery. I have a poet's mind but a poor exterior, What goes on inside me is superior.
Text Authorship:
- by Stevie Smith (1903 - 1971), "The actress", appears in Mother, What is Man?, first published 1942
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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]9. The repentance of Lady T
Language: English
I look in the glass Whose face do I see? It is the face Of Lady T. I wish to change, How can that be? O Lamb of God Change me, change me.
Text Authorship:
- by Stevie Smith (1903 - 1971), "The repentance of Lady T", written 1942, appears in Mother, What is Man?
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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]10. Pad, pad
Language: English
I always remember your beautiful flowers And the beautiful kimono you wore When you sat on the couch With that tigerish crouch And told me you loved me no more What I cannot remember is how I felt When you were unkind All I know is, if you were unkind now I should not mind. Ah me, the power to feel exaggerated, Angry and sad The years have taken from me, Softly I go now, pad pad.
Text Authorship:
- by Stevie Smith (1903 - 1971), "Pad, pad", appears in Harold's Leap, first published 1950
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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]Total word count: 526