Translation by Alma Strettell (1856 - 1939) and by Elisabeth Pauline Ottilie Luise zu Wied, Prinzessin (1843 - 1916)
The Soldier's Tent
Language: English  after the Romanian (Română)
Across the mountains the mist hath drawn A cov'ring of bridal white; The plains afar make lament, and mourn That the flutt'ring veil of the mist-wreaths born Hath hidden the mountains from sight. The soldier lay smiling peacefully Asleep in his tent on the sward, The moon crept in and said: "Look at me, A glance from thy sweetheart am I, for thee!" But he answered: "I have my sword." Then the rustling wind drew softly near, Played round him with whispers light: "I am the sighs of thy mother dear, The sighs of thy mother am I, dost hear?" But he answered: "I have the fight." Then night sank down from the dark'ning sky Round the sleeper, and murmured: "Rest, Thy sweetheart's veil o'er thy face doth lie!" But he answered: "No need of it have I, For the banner doth cover me best." By his tent the river, clear and wide, Rolled onward its silver flood, And said: "I am water, the cleansing tide More blessèd than aught in the world beside." But he answered: "I have my blood." Then Sleep drew near to his tent, and low She whispered with soothing breath: "I am Sleep, the healer of ev'ry woe, The dearest treasure of man below." But the soldier replied: "I have Death." Across the mountains the mist hath drawn A cov'ring of bridal white; The plains afar make lament, and mourn That the flutt'ring veil of the mist-wreaths born Hath hidden the mountains from sight.
Authorship:
- by Alma Strettell (1856 - 1939), appears in The bard of the Dimbovitza : Rovmanian folk-songs collected from the peasants [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
- by Elisabeth Pauline Ottilie Luise zu Wied, Prinzessin (1843 - 1916), appears in The bard of the Dimbovitza : Rovmanian folk-songs collected from the peasants [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Romanian (Română) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , no title [text unavailable]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, Sir (1848 - 1918), "The Soldier's Tent", 1900, published 1901, first performed 1900 [ baritone and orchestra ] [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Ted Perry
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-23
Line count: 35
Word count: 249