by Thomas d'Urfey (1653 - 1723)

On the brow of Richmond Hill
 (Sung text for setting by B. Britten)
 Matches base text
Language: English 
Our translations:  CAT
On the brow of Richmond Hill,
Which Europe scarce can parallel,
Ev'ry eye such wonders fill
To view the prospect round;
Where the silver Thames does glide,
And stately courts are edified,
Meadows deck'd in summer's pride,
With verdant beauties crown'd;

Lovely Cynthia passing by,
With brighter glories blest my eye,
Ah, then in vain, in vain said I,
The fields and flow'rs do shine;
Nature in this charming place
Created pleasure in excess,
But all are poor to Cynthia's face,
Whose features are divine.

Composition:

    Set to music by (Edward) Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976), "On the brow of Richmond Hill", 1947 [ voice and piano ], a realization of the Purcell song. Confirmed with a CD booklet

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2024, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 85