London Town (Masefield, set by C. Ashbee, J. Ashbee, R. Clarke, E. German, M. Shaw) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


Oh London Town's a fine town, and London sights are rare, 
And London ale is right ale, and brisk's the London air, 
And busily goes the world there, but crafty grows the mind. 
And London Town of all towns I'm glad to leave behind. 

Then hey for croft and hop-yard, and hill, and field, and pond, 
With Bredon Hill before me and Malvern Hill beyond. 

The hawthorn white i' the hedgerow, and all the spring's attire 
In the comely land of Teme and Lugg, and Clent, and Clee, and Wyre. 
Oh London girls are brave girls, in silk and cloth o' gold, 
And London shops are rare shops, where gallant things are sold. 
And bonnily clinks the gold there, but drowsily blinks the eye, 
And London Town of all towns I'm glad to hurry by. 

Then, hey for covert and woodland, and ash and elm and oak, 
Tewkesbury inns, and Malvern roofs, and Worcester chimney smoke.

The apple trees in the orchard, the cattle in the byre, 
And all the land from Ludlow town to Bredon church's spire. 
Oh London tunes are new tunes, and London books are wise, 
And London plays are rare plays, and fine to country eyes, 
But craftily fares the knave there, and wickedly fares the Jew, 
And London Town of all towns I'm glad to hurry through. 

So hey for the road, the west road, by mill and forge and fold, 
Scent of the fern and song of the] lark by brook, and field, and wold.

To the comely folk at the hearth-stone and the talk beside the fire, 
In the hearty land, where I was bred, my land of heart's desire.

First published in Pall Mall Magazine, May 1903

Authorship

John Masefield (1878-1967)

Ballads and Poems

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

C. R. Ashbee

Janet E. Ashbee

The Essex House Song Book

Robert Coningsby Clarke (1879-1934)

Edward German (1862-1936)

Martin Edward Fallas Shaw (1875-1958)

Date added to the website: 2008-12-31.

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