by Norman Rowland Gale (1862 - 1942)
Who would shepherd pipes forsake?
Language: English
Who would shepherd pipes forsake, If there greet him dearly Cupid in the knee-deep brake Singing sweet and clearly? Who to London deserts go, Scanning friendless faces, If there beat a heart for him Under Laura's laces? As I near the leafy oak, Laura, swift as starling, Brings her cheek for me to stroke, Little fragrant darling! Take your air in Rotten Row, Gentlemen of leisure, Milkmaid kiss and velvet sloe Fashion me my pleasure. While we sit, the stilly skies Change from blue to purple, And my arm in daring lies Round a home-spun circle! Thus doth pastoral delight Follow shepherd's duty, Speeding to my heart at night Laura's love and beauty.
Text Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Ernest Bristow Farrar (1885 - 1918), "Who would shepherd pipes forsake?", op. 21 no. 3, published 1920 [ tenor and piano ], from Two Pastorals, no. 2 [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 113