Through the long days and years
What will my lov'd one be,
Parted from me?
  Through the long days and years.

Always as then she was
Loveliest, brightest, best,
Blessing and blest, --
  Always as then she was.

Never on earth again
Shall I before her stand,
Touch lip or hand, --
  Never on earth again.

But, while my darling lives,
Peaceful I journey  ... 
Not quite alone,
  Not while my darling lives.

Note: Elgar adds a repetition of the first line at the end of each stanza and the final line.

Composition:

Set to music by Edward Elgar, Sir (1857 - 1934), "Through the Long Days", op. 16 (Three Songs) no. 2 (1885), first performed 1897 [ voice and piano ], from Seven Lieder of Edward Elgar, no. 5, note: first published in 1887 as op. 16 no. 2; republished in 1890; then republished 1907 with German words, also set in German (Deutsch)

Text Authorship:

• by John Hay, Col. (1838 - 1905), no title

See other settings of this text.

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: 73