Ah! who can say? (Bayly, set by T. Severn) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


Throw down the lute and seize the lance.
This is no time for song and dance ;
Go quench the festive lamps again ;
And check the bard's too joyous strain !
At dawn of day they'll ride away --
When to return -- ah ! who can say ?

How full of change, and full of strife
Must be the warrior's roving life !
But danger gives his heart relief --
He hath no time to nourish grief.
At dawn of day, they'll ride away --
When to return -- ah ! who can say !

But woman has a dreary fate --
He goes -- she lingers at the gate --
And where he left her, lives to miss
All that once made that life seem bliss !
At dawn of day they'll ride away --
When to return-- ah ! who can say ?

Authorship

Thomas Haynes Bayly (1797-1839)

Songs of the Days of Chivalry

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

Thomas Henry Severn (1801-1881)

Songs of the Days of Chivalry

Date added to the website: 2008-06-14.

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.