Kitty O'Hea (Allingham, set by A. Needham) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


Now, Kitty O'Hea, darling jewel,
I wish you'd consider my case!
O, who could believe you're so cruel
To look in that beautiful face? 
Let roses be jealous, -- no matter!
The sunshine's in love with your cheek;
What singing-bird wouldn't I flatter
To say it's her voice when you speak?
Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea,
Kitty, give ear to my song.
Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea,
Kitty, I'm courting you long.

My thoughts I can never keep steady,
No more nor a man in a dream,
They caper like straws in an eddy,
In place of pursuing the stream. 
Amusement or meat 1 don't care for,
I moan like a cow gone astray;
Myself knows the why and the wherefore, -- 
I'm thinking of Kitty O'Hea.
Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea, etc.

I never objected, in reason,
To bear with a slight or a scoff,
But snow isn't always in season,
And Lent isn't very far off. 
Shrove-Tuesday's the time for to shake one,
And single I'll not pass the day,
Young, old, maid or widow, I'll take one, -- 
So mind yourself, Kitty O'Hea !
Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea,
Kitty, give heed to my song.
Kitty O'Hea, O'Hea,
Kitty, I'm courting too long !

Authorship

William Allingham (1824-1889)

Irish Songs 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)

Alicia Adélaïda Needham (1863-1945)

Twelve Lyrics for Lovers

Date added to the website: 2009-01-19.

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.