Song Cycle by Michael Head (1900-1976)

1. The ships of Arcady

Authorship

by Francis Ledwidge (1891-1917)

Thro' the faintest filigree,
o-ver the dim waters go,
little ships of Arcady,
when the morning moon is low. 

I can hear the sailors' song
from the blue edge of the sea,
passing like the lights a-long
Thro' the dusky filigree

Then where moon and waters meet
sail by sail they pass away,
With little friendly winds replete
blowing from the breaking day

and when the little ships have flown,
Dreaming still of Arcady
I look across the waves, alone
in the misty filigree. 

Thro' the faintest filigree,
O-ver the dim waters go ... 
Little ships of Arcady
When the morning moon is low

2. Beloved

Authorship

by Francis Ledwidge (1891-1917)

Nothing but sweet music wakes
my Beloved, My Beloved,
sleeping by the blue lakes,
My own Beloved! 

Song of lark and song of thrush,
My Beloved! My Beloved! 
Sing in morning's rosy blush,
My own Beloved! 

When you eyes dawn blue and clear,
my Beloved! My Beloved! 
You will find me waiting here,
My own Beloved!

3. A blackbird singing

Authorship

by Francis Ledwidge (1891-1917)

A blackbird singing
On a moss upholster'd stone,
Bluebells swinging,
Shadows wildly blown,

A song in the wood,
A ship on the sea,
The song was for you
and the ship was for me;

A blackbird singing,
I hear in my troubled mind,
Bluebells swinging
I see in a distant wind,

But sorrow and silence
are the wood's threnody,
the silence for you,
and the sorrow for me,

A blackbird singing

4. Nocturne

Authorship

by Francis Ledwidge (1891-1917)

The rim of the moon
is over the corn. 
The beetle's drone
is above the thorn. 
Grey days come soon
and I am alone;
Can you hear my moan
where you rest, Aroon? 

When the wild tree bore
the deep blue cherry,
In night's deep pall
our love kissed merry. 
But you come no more
where its woodlands call,
and the grey days fall
on my grief, Asthore! 

The rim of the moon
is over the corn. 
The beetle's drone
is above the thorn. 
Grey days come soon
and I am alone;
Can you hear my moan
where you rest, Aroon?

Search/Shop for

Sheet music:

  Search sheetmusicplus.com for Over the rim of the moon, Art song , Lieder, chansons, or works for solo voice
  Search musicroom.com for Over the rim of the moon, vocal/choral music

CDs:

  Search amazon.com for Over the rim of the moon, art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for Over the rim of the moon, art song, Lieder, or chansons

Books:

  The Art of the Song Recital [amazon.com]
  The Book of Lieder: The Original Texts of Over 1000 Songs [amazon.com]
  Search amazon.com for art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for art song, lieder, or chansons

Classical Vocal Repertoire