The stranger's song (Hardy, set by H. Gardiner) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


O my trade it is the rarest one,
           Simple shepherds all --
 My trade is a sight to see;
For my customers I tie, and take 'em up on high,
 And waft 'em to a far countree!

My tools are but common ones,
           Simple shepherds all --
 My tools are no sight to see:
A little hempen string, and a post whereon to swing,
 Are implements enough for me!

To-morrow is my working day,
           Simple shepherds all --
 To-morrow is a working day for me:
For the farmer's sheep is slain, and the lad who did it ta'en,
And on his soul may God ha' mer-cy!

Input by Barbara Miller

Authorship

Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)

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

Henry Balfour Gardiner (1877-1950)

Date added to the website: 2008-08-13.

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