by Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864)
I would not die in Summer time
Language: English
I would not die in Summer time When hearts are light and free, And joy is borne from every clime O'er mountain, stream and lea. I would not leave the friends I know, Beguiled of hope and cheer, To lose in burning tears of woe The glad time of the year. Oh! no, I would not pass away When from the leafy grove, The red bird carols all the day Its song of joy and love; When merry warblers trill their notes From every bush and tree, And on the breeze, an anthem floats Of heaven-born melody. I would not die in Summertime, And lie within the tomb, When blushing fruits are in their prime, And fields are in their bloom; For I would reap the yellow grain And bind it in the sheeves; Then die when Autumn winds complain Among the blighted leaves.
Authorship:
- by Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864), "I would not die in Summer time " [author's text checked 1 time 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 Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864), "I would not die in Summer time", published 1851. [voice and piano] [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2015-12-26
Line count: 24
Word count: 144