The emigrant

Going by Daly's shanty I heard the boys within 
Dancing the Spanish hornpipe to Driscoll's violin, 
I heard the sea-boots shaking the rough planks of the floor, 
But I was going westward, I hadn't heart for more. 

All down the windy village the noise rang in my ears, 
Old sea boots stamping, shuffling, it brought the bitter tears. 
The old tune piped and quavered, the lilts came clear and strong. 
But I was going westward, I couldn't join the song. 

There were the grey stone houses, the night wind blowing keen, 
The hill-sides pale with moonlight, the young corn springing green,
The hearth nooks lit and kindly, with dear friends good to see. 
But I was going westward, and the ship waited me.

by John Masefield (1878-1967) , "The emigrant", from Ballads, published 1903

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

by Rutland Boughton (1878-1960) , "The emigrant", 1944 [voice, piano, and violin], from Five Songs, no. ?
by Helen Fothergill (-1939) , "The emigrant", published <<1940.
by Lionel Russell , "The emigrant", published <<1940.
by Francis George Scott (1880-1958) , "Going westward", 1922. [medium voice and piano]
by Breville Smith , "The emigrant", published 1922. [medium or low voice and piano]

Date added to the website: 2008-12-30.

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