Five Chinese Songs

Song Cycle by Lennox Randal Francis Berkeley, Sir (1903 - 1989)

1. People hide their love
 (Sung text)

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

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2. The autumn wind
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Autumn wind rises; white clouds fly.
Grass and trees wither; geese go south.
Orchids all in bloom; chrysanthemums smell sweet.
I think of my lovely lady; I never can forget.
Floating pagoda-boat crosses Fēn river;
Across the mid-stream white waves rise;
Flute and drum keep time to the sound of the sower's song;
Amidst revel and feasting, sad thoughts come;
Youth's years how few! Age how sure!

Text Authorship:

  • by Arthur Waley (1889 - 1969), "The Autumn Wind", first published 1946

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3. Dreaming of a dead lady
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
"I heard at night your long sighs
And knew that you were thinking of me."
As she spoke, the doors of Heaven opened,
Our souls conversed and I saw her face.
She set me a pillow to rest on;
She brought me meat and drink.
I stood beside her where she lay,
But suddenly woke and she was not there.
And none knew how my soul was torn,
How the tears fell surging over my breast.

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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. Late spring 
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Here in Lo-yang spring tarries
 [ ... ]

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5. The riverside village
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
My fishing done, I have returned, but do not moor my boat
 [ ... ]

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Total word count: 326