by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900)
Villanelle of the Poet's Road
Language: English
Wine and woman and song,
Three things garnish our way:
Yet is day over long.
Lest we do our youth wrong,
Gather them while we may:
Wine and woman and song.
Three things render us strong,
Vine leaves, kisses and bay;
Yet is day over long.
Unto us they belong,
Us the bitter and gay,
Wine and woman and song.
We, as we pass along,
Are sad that they will not stay;
Yet is day over long.
Fruits and flowers among,
What is better than they:
Wine and woman and song?
Yet is day over long.
Text Authorship:
- by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900), "Villanelle of the Poet's Road", appears in Decorations, first published 1899 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Cyril Meir Scott (1879 - 1970), "Villanelle of the Poet's Road", op. 74 no. 5, published 1911 [ voice and piano ], London: Elkin [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-01-09
Line count: 19
Word count: 96