by Alfred Edward Housman (1859 - 1936)
The vain desire Matches original text
Language: English
If truth in hearts that perish Could move the powers on high, I think the love I bear you Should make you not to die. Sure, sure, if stedfast meaning, If single thought could save, The world might end tomorrow, You should not see the grave. This long and sure-set liking, This boundless will to please, - Oh, you should live for ever If there were help in these. But now, since all is idle, To this lost heart be kind, Ere to a town you journey Where friends are ill to find.
Composition:
- Set to music by John (Nicholson) Ireland (1879 - 1962), "The vain desire", published 1921 [ voice and piano ], from The Land of Lost Content, no. 4
Text Authorship:
- by Alfred Edward Housman (1859 - 1936), no title, appears in A Shropshire Lad, no. 33, first published 1896
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this page: Ted Perry
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 92