The lily

The modest rose puts forth a thorn,
The humble sheep a threatening horn, 
While the lily white shall in love delight, 
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.

by William Blake (1757-1827) , "The lily", from Songs of Innocence and Experience, in Songs of Experience, no. 15, published 1794

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

by William Alwyn (1905-1985) , "The lily", 1933, from Songs of Experience, no. 1.
by Rodney Ash (1931-) , "The lily", 1972, from Songs of Experience, no. 6.
by Gary Bachlund , "The lily", 1990 [medium high voice and piano], from Three Blake Settings, no. 2.
by William Bolcom (1938-) , "The lily", 1956-81 [soloists, madrigal group, chorus, orchestra], from Songs of Experience, Volume Two, no. 4.
by Fritz Bennicke Hart (1874-1949) , "The lilly", op. 13 (Seven songs) no. 7 (1913). [voice and piano]
by Eugene Hartzell (1932-2000) , "The lily", 1969 [medium voice and orchestra], from Spring and Three Flowers, no. 2.
by Otto Luening (1900-1996) , "The lilly", 1984, first performed 1986. [soprano and piano]

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 lilly, The lily, Art song , Lieder, chansons, or works for solo voice
  Search musicroom.com for The lilly, The lily, vocal/choral music

CDs:

  Search amazon.com for The lilly, The lily, art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for The lilly, The lily, 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