by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900)
If we must part
Language: English
If we must part, Then let it be like this; Not heart on heart, Nor with the useless anguish of a kiss; But touch mine hand and say: "Until to-morrow or some other day, If we must part." Words are so weak When love hath been so strong: Let silence speak: "Life is a little while, and love is long; A time to sow and reap, And after harvest a long time to sleep, But words are weak."
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with Ernest Dowson, Verses, London: Leonard Smithers, 1896, page 49.
Text Authorship:
- by Ernest Christopher Dowson (1867 - 1900), "A Valediction", appears in Verses, London, Leonard Smithers, first published 1896 [author's text checked 2 times 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 John (Nicholson) Ireland (1879 - 1962), "If we must part", 1929, published 1976 [ tenor and piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Michael Alec Rose , "A valediction", 1986 [ mixed chorus ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Cyril Meir Scott (1879 - 1970), "A valediction", op. 36 (Two Songs) no. 1, published 1904 [ voice and piano ], London : Elkin [sung text not yet checked]
- by Cyril Meir Scott (1879 - 1970), "If we must part", 1929 [ voice and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
Research team for this page: Ted Perry , Poom Andrew Pipatjarasgit [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 14
Word count: 45