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We'll go no more a-roving

Set by T. Wallace Southam , "We'll go no more a-roving", published 1966, stanza 1 of [voice and piano], from Poetry Set in Jazz, no. ?

Note: this setting is made up of several separate texts.

So we'll go no more a-roving
So late into the night,
Though the heart be [still]1 as loving,
And the moon be still as bright.

For the sword outwears the sheath,
And the soul wears out the breast,
And the heart [must pause to breathe]2,
And Love itself have rest.

Though the night was made for loving,
And the day returns too soon,
Yet we'll go no more a-roving
By the light of the moon.
Authorship

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Included in a letter to Thomas Moore on February 28, 1817
See also Henley's "{link:/lieder/h/henley/wgnmarbtlotm.html}We'll go no more a-roving{}"
1 Armstrong: "ne'er"
2 Armstrong: "itself must pause"


When we two parted
    In silence and tears, 
Half broken-hearted
    To sever for years, 
Pale grew thy cheek and cold,
    Colder thy kiss; 
Truly that hour foretold
    Sorrow to this.

The dew of the morning
    Sunk chill on my brow -- 
It felt like the warning
    Of what I feel now. 
Thy vows are all broken,
    And light is thy fame; 
I hear thy name spoken,
    And share in its shame.

They name thee before me,
    A knell to mine ear; 
A shudder comes o'er me --
    Why wert thou so dear? 
They know not I knew thee,
    Who knew thee too well:-- 
Long, long shall I rue thee,
    Too deeply to tell.

In secret we met --
    In silence I grieve 
That thy heart could forget,
    Thy spirit deceive. 
If I should meet thee
    After long years, 
How should I greet thee? --
    With silence and tears.
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