Song Cycle by Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

1.

Authorship

by Alma Strettell

a text in Greek by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]

 Yea, cast me from heights of the mountains to deeps of the ocean,
 Let the thunderbolt strike me, o'erwhelm me with fire or with snow!
 Since him whom Love's burden hath crushed, and whom Eros hath broken,
 Not even the swift-winged lightnings of Zeus can o'erthrow!

2.

Authorship

by Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

a text in Greek by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]

Whether I find thee bright with fair,
Or still as bright with raven hair;
With equal grace thy tresses shine,
Ah, queen, and love will dwell divine
In these thy locks, on that far day,
When gold or sable turns to grey!

3. "After many a dusty mile"

Authorship

by Edmund William Gosse (1849-1928)

a text in Greek by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]

After many a dusty mile,
Wanderer, linger here awhile;
Stretch your limbs in this long grass;
Through these pines a wind shall pass
That shall cool you with its wing.

Grasshoppers shall shout and sing,
While the shepherd on the hill,
Near a fountain warbling still,
Modulates, when noon is mute,
Summer songs along his flute;

Underneath a spreading tree,
None so easy-limbed as he,
Sheltered from the dog-star's heat.

Rest; and then, on freshened feet,
You shall pass the forest through.
It is Pan that counsels you.

4.

Authorship

by William Money Hardinge (1855-?)

a text in Greek by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]

It's oh! to be a wild wind - when my lady's in the sun,
She'd just unbind her neckerchief, and take me breathing in.

It's oh! to be a red rose - just a faintly blushing one,
So she'd pull me with her hand and to her snowy breast I'd win.

5.

Authorship

by Richard Garnett (1835-1906)

a text in Greek by Marcus Argentarius (1^st century BCE) [text unavailable]

Feasting I watch with westward-looking eye
The flashing constellations' pageantry.
Solemn and splendid; then anon I wreathe
My hair, and warbling to my harp I breathe
My full heart forth, and know the heav'ns look down
Pleased, for they also have their Lyre and Crown.

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Classical Vocal Repertoire