by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900)
Language: English
By the sad waters of separation Where we have wandered by divers ways, I have but the shadow and imitation Of the old, memorial days. In music I have no consolation, No roses are pale enough for me; The sound of the waters of separation Surpasseth roses and melody. By the sad waters of separation Dimly I hear from an hidden place The sigh of mine ancient adoration: Hardly can I remember your face. If you be dead, no proclamation Sprang to me over the waste, gray sea: Living, the waters of separation Sever for ever your soul from me. No man knoweth our desolation; Memory pales of the old delight; While the sad waters of separation Bear us on to the ultimate night.
Composition:
- Set to music by Grigory Smirnov (b. 1985), "Exile", 2013, published 2013, first performed 2014 [ tenor and piano ], from Dowson Songs, no. 4
Text Authorship:
- by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900), "Exile", appears in Verses, London, Leonard Smithers, first published 1896
See other settings of this text.
Research team for this page: Ahmed E. Ismail , Poom Andrew Pipatjarasgit [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2005-01-23
Line count: 20
Word count: 124