by Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793 - 1835)
Why do I weep? to leave the vine
Language: English
Why do I weep? to leave the vine Whose clusters o'er me bend, — The myrtle — yet, oh! call it mine! — The flowers I loved to tend. A thousand thoughts of all things dear Like shadows o'er me sweep, I leave my sunny childhood here, Oh, therefore, let me weep! I leave thee, sister! we have play'd Through many a joyous hour, Where the silvery green of the olive shade Hung dim o'er fount and bower. Yes, thou and I, by stream, by shore, In song, in prayer, in sleep, Have been as we may be no more — Kind sister, let me weep! I leave thee father! Eve's bright moon Must now light other feet, With the gather'd grapes, and the lyre in tune Thy homeward step to greet. Thou in whose voice, to bless thy child, Lay tones of love so deep, Whose eye o'er all my youth hath smiled — I leave thee! let me weep! Mother! I leave thee! on thy breast, Pouring out joy and woe, I have found that holy place of rest Still changeless, — yet I go! Lips, that have lull'd me with your strain, Eyes, that have watch'd my sleep: Will earth give love like yours again? Sweet mother! let me weep!
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793 - 1835), "The Bride's Farewell" [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 John G. Barnett (1802 - 1890), "Why do I weep?", published <<1842 [ voice and guitar ] [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2023-06-25
Line count: 32
Word count: 213