Four Chinese Love-Poems

Song Cycle by Emma Lou Diemer (b. 1927)

1. People hide their love  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Who says 
That it's by my desire, 
This separation, this living so far from you? 
My dress still smells of the [lavender you gave me]1: 
My hand still holds the letter [you]2 sent. 
Round my waist I wear a double sash: 
I dream that it binds us both with [a]3 same-heart knot. 
Did not you know that people hide their love, 
Like [the]4 flower that seems too precious to be picked?

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1 Berkeley: "perfume that you wore"
2 Berkeley: "that you"
3 Berkeley: "the"
4 Berkeley: "a"

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

2. Wind and rain  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Wind and rain, chill, chill!
But the cock crowed kikeriki.
Now that I have seen my lord,
How can I fail to be at peace?
 
Wind and rain, oh, the storm!
But the cock crowed kukeriki.
Now that I have seen my lord,
How can I fail to rejoice?
 
Wind and rain, dark as night,
The cock crowed and would not stop.
Now that I have seen my lord,
How can I any more be sad?

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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]

3. By the willows  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
By the willows of the Eastern Gate, whose 
Leaves are so thick, at dusk we were to meet; 
And now the morning star is bright.

By the willows of the Eastern Gate, whose 
Leaves are so close, at dusk we were to meet; 
And now the morning star is pale.

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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]

4. The mulberry on the lowland  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
The mulberry on the lowland, how graceful!
Its leaves, how tender!
Now that I have seen my lord,
Ah, what delight!

The mulberry on the lowland, how graceful!
Its leaves, how glossy!
Now that I have seen my lord,
What joy indeed!

The mulberry on the lowland, how graceful,
Its leaves, how fresh!
Now I have seen my lord,
His high fame holds fast.

Love that is felt in the heart,
Why should it not be told in words?
To the core of my heart I treasure him,
Could not ever cease to love him.

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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: 292