The Singers

God sent his Singers upon earth 
With songs of sadness and of mirth, 
That they might touch the hearts of men, 
And bring them back to heaven again. 

The first, a youth, with soul of fire, 
Held in his hand a golden lyre; 
Through groves he wandered, and by streams, 
Playing the music of our dreams. 

The second with a bearded face, 
Stood singing in the market-place, 
And stirred with accents deep and loud 
The hearts of all the listening crowd. 

A grey old man, the third and last, 
Sang in cathedrals dim and vast,
While the majestic organ rolled 
Contrition from its mouths of gold. 

And those who heard the Singers three, 
Disputed who the best might be; 
For still their music seemed to start 
Discordant echoes in each heart. 

But the great Master said, "I see 
No best in kind, but in degree; 
I gave a various gift to each, 
To charm, to strengthen, and to teach. 

"These are the three great chords of might, 
And he whose ear is tuned aright 
Will hear no discord in the three, 
But the most perfect harmony."

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) , "The Singers", from The Seaside and the Fireside, published 1849

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

by Franz Wilhelm Abt (1819-1885) , "The Three Great Chords" [voice, piano]
by David Arditti (1964-) , "The Singers", op. 13. [trebles and SATB choir, or SSATB choir, organ and 2 optional harps and timpani]
by Doyne Courtenay Bell (1831-1888) , "The Singers" [voice, piano]
by Franz Carl Bornschein (1879-1948) , "The Singers", published 1930. [cantata: female voices, piano]
by Arthur R. Gaul , "The Singers", published 1883. [partsong: SATB, a cappella]
by Harvey Bartlett Gaul (1881-1945) , "The Singers", published 1931. [cantata: SATB chorus, soprano and baritone soli, piano]
by Cuthbert Harris (1870-1932) , "The Singers", published 1925. [chorus: SSAA, piano]
by Sir Alexander Campbell MacKenzie (1847-1935) , "The Singers", published 1901. [partsong]
by Walter Mitchell , "The Singers" [voice, piano, harmonium ad lib]
by George Alexander Osborne (1806-1893) , "The Three Singers" [voice, piano]
by Daniel Protheroe (1866-1934) , "The Minstrels", published 1932. [chorus: TTBB, piano]
by Earl Rau [pseudonym] , "The Singers", published 1965. [chorus: SATB, a cappella]
by Louis Victor Franz Saar (1868-1937) , "The Singers", op. 108a, published 1925. [partsong: SATB]
by Bruno Schurig , "The Singers" [voice, piano]
by Donald E. Sellew , "The Singers", published 1953. [chorus: SSAATTBB, a cappella]
by Cesar Sodero (1886-1947) , "The Singers", published 1936. [chorus: male voices, piano]
by Humphrey John Stark (1854-) , "The Singers" [bass or contralto, piano, harmonium obligato]
by Berthold Tours (1838-1897) , "The Three Singers", published >>1876. [voice, piano]
by Hilda Waller , "The Singers" [cantata: SSA, piano]
by John Wesley Work, III (1901-1967) , "The Singers", published 1949. [chorus: SATB, baritone solo, piano, orchestra]

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

Gentle Reminder

This project is not funded. If you found the information here useful, please consider making a donation. Your gift is greatly appreciated!      - Emily I also have a wishlist at Amazon.ca.

Search/Shop for

Sheet music:

  Search sheetmusicplus.com for The Singers, The Three Great Chords, The Minstrels, The Singers, The Three Singers, Art song , Lieder, chansons, or works for solo voice
  Search musicroom.com for The Singers, The Three Great Chords, The Minstrels, The Singers, The Three Singers, vocal/choral music

CDs:

  Search amazon.com for The Singers, The Three Great Chords, The Minstrels, The Singers, The Three Singers, art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for The Singers, The Three Great Chords, The Minstrels, The Singers, The Three Singers, 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