Quae te dextra mihi rapuit, luscinia, niseis, ilia meae fuerat invida laetitiae. tu mea dulcisonis implesti pectora musis, atque animum moestum carmine mcllifluo. qua propter veniant volucrum simul undiquc coctus carmine te mecum plangere Pierio. spreta colorc tamen fueras non spreta canendo. Lata sub angusto gutture vox sonuit, dulce melos itcrans vario modulamine Musae, atque creatorcm semper in ore canens. noctibus in furvis nusquam cessavit ab odis, vox vencranda sacris, o decus atque decor, quid mirum, cherubim, seraphim si voce tonantem perpctua laudcnt, dum tua sic potuit?
Text Authorship:
- by Alcuin of York (c735 - 804), "De luscinia" [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):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in English, a translation by Helen Jane Waddell (1889 - 1965) , "Written for his lost nightingale", appears in Medieval Latin Lyrics, first published 1929 ; composed by Muriel Emily Herbert.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-03-24
Line count: 14
Word count: 88
Whoever stole you from that bush of broom, I think he envied me my happiness, O little nightingale, for many a time You lightened my sad heart from its distress, And flooded my whole soul with melody. And I would have the other birds all come, And sing along with me thy threnody. So brown and dim that little body was. But none could scorn thy singing. In that throat That tiny throat, what depth of harmony, And all night long ringing thy changing note. What marvel if the cherubim in heaven Continually do praise Him, when to thee, O small and happy, such a grace was given?
About the headline (FAQ)
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Text Authorship:
- by Helen Jane Waddell (1889 - 1965), "Written for his lost nightingale", appears in Medieval Latin Lyrics, first published 1929 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Latin by Alcuin of York (c735 - 804), "De luscinia"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Muriel Emily Herbert (1897 - 1984), "The lost nightingale", 1939 [ voice and piano ], confirmed with a CD booklet [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-03-24
Line count: 14
Word count: 109