by William Smyth (1765 - 1849)
I'll praise the saints with early song
Language: English
I'll praise the saints with early song, For now the wars are ended; I'll praise our Lady late and long, That has my Love defended. Yes, home is come my Patrick dear, From me no more to sever; And in his looks, I see it clear: He loves me more than ever. He sits our evening fire beside, The cabin round surveying, And looks with all a father's pride, While near the child is playing. Even me he turns to gaze upon, As in my maiden beauty, Before my bloom was worn and gone By many a toilsome duty. And, true - his cheek is sallow now, That once was bright and ruddy; A fearful scar is on his brow, The mark of battle bloody. And oft in sleep disturb'd he seems, While o'er him I am bending; He makes the cross while in his dreams, As if for life contending. But happier hours are coming fast, Sir Phelim - angels bless him - Says Patrick Toole shall rest at last, And nothing more distress him. He grants a farm, with turf-ground near, He grants a lease for ever; And heaven will bless, I need not fear, The honest heart's endeavour.
Authorship:
- by William Smyth (1765 - 1849) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827), "I'll praise the saints with early song", WoO. 153 (20 Irische Lieder mit Begleitung von Pianoforte, Violine und Violoncello) no. 12, G. 224 no. 12, published 1814/6 [ voice, piano, violin, violoncello ] [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- GER German (Deutsch) [singable] (Georg Pertz) , "Die Heil'gen preist mein früher Sang"
Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2005-01-12
Line count: 32
Word count: 201