Now, O now, in this brown land

Now, O now, in this brown land
    Where Love did so sweet music make 
We two shall wander, hand in hand,
    Forbearing for old friendship' sake, 
Nor grieve because our love was gay
Which now is ended in this way.

A rogue in red and yellow dress
    Is knocking, knocking at the tree; 
And all around our loneliness
    The wind is whistling merrily. 
The leaves -- - they do not sigh at all
When the year takes them in the fall.

Now, O now, we hear no more
    The vilanelle and roundelay! 
Yet will we kiss, sweetheart, before
    We take sad leave at close of day. 
Grieve not, sweetheart, for anything -- -
The year, the year is gathering.

by James Joyce (1882-1941) , from Chamber Music, no. 33, published 1907

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

by Sir (Aynsley) Eugene Goossens (1893-1962) , "Now, O now, in this brown land", published 1930 [medium voice and piano], from Chamber Music, no. ?
by Jack Maurice Jarrett (1934-) , "Now, O now, in this brown land", 1962 [SATB and piano], from Songs about the end of love, no. ?
by Ernest John Moeran (1894-1950) , "Now, O now, in this brown land", published 1930 [mezzo-soprano or baritone and piano], from Seven Poems by James Joyce, no. ?
by Irwin Spector (1916-) , "Now, O now, in this brown land" [medium voice, oboe, viola, and piano], from Songs of Love and Music, no. ?
by John D. White (1931-) , "Now, O now, in this brown land" [alto or baritone and piano], from Three Joyce Songs, no. ?

FRE French (Guy Laffaille)

Date added to the website: 2008-01-24.

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 Now, O now, in this brown land, Art song , Lieder, chansons, or works for solo voice
  Search musicroom.com for Now, O now, in this brown land, vocal/choral music

CDs:

  Search amazon.com for Now, O now, in this brown land, art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for Now, O now, in this brown land, 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