The trilliums (Bates, set by G. Chadwick) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


"Wake, robin! Wake, robin!" the trilliums call, 
Though never a word they say; 
"Wake, robin! Wake, robin!" while bud-sheaths fall, 
And violets greet the day. 

The soft winds bring the spring again, 
The days of snow are done ; 
The stir of life's in every vein, 
And warmly shines the sun. 

The trillium stars are white as milk, 
They beckon as they swing ; 
The trillium's leaves are soft as silk, 
They make the robins sing. 

Soon all the hill and all the dale 
Shall once again be gay ; 
When trilliums from the tree-set vale 
Open their cups to-day. 

"Wake, robin! Wake, robin!" the trilliums cry, 
Though never a sound they make ; 
"Wake, robin! Wake, robin!" till wings whir by, 
And robins sing for their sake.

Authorship

Arlo Bates (1850-1918)

A Flower Cycle

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

George Whitefield Chadwick (1854-1931)

A Flower Cycle

Date added to the website: 2009-06-17.

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