by John Philpot Curran (1750 - 1817)
The deserter
Language: English
If sadly thinking and spirits sinking Could more than drinking my cares compose; A cure for sorrow from sighs I'd borrow, And hope tomorrow might end my woes. But since in wailing there's nought availing, And Fate unfailing must strike the blow: Then for that reason and for a season, We will be merry before we go. A wayworn ranger to joy a stranger, Through every danger my course I've run; Now hope all ending, and death befriending, His last aid sending, my cares are done, No more a rover, or hapless lover, My griefs are over, and my glass runs low. Then for that reason and for a season, We will be merry before we go.
Authorship:
- by John Philpot Curran (1750 - 1817), "The deserter" [author's text not yet checked 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 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827), "The deserter", WoO. 152 (25 irische Lieder) no. 10, G. 223 no. 10 (1810/3) [ voice, violin, violoncello, piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- GER German (Deutsch) [singable] (Georg Pertz) , "Der deserteur"
Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2004-12-11
Line count: 16
Word count: 117