by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900)
If we must part Matches original text
Language: English
If we must part, Then let it be like this; Not heart on heart, Nor with the useless anguish of a kiss; But touch mine hand and say: "Until to-morrow or some other day, If we must part." Words are so weak When love hath been so strong: Let silence speak: "Life is a little while, and love is long; A time to sow and reap, And after harvest a long time to sleep, But words are weak."
Composition:
- Set to music by John (Nicholson) Ireland (1879 - 1962), "If we must part", 1929, published 1976 [ tenor and piano ]
Text Authorship:
- by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900), "A Valediction", appears in Verses, London, Leonard Smithers, first published 1896
See other settings of this text.
Research team for this page: Ted Perry , Poom Andrew Pipatjarasgit [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 14
Word count: 78