by Amelia Alderson Opie (1769 - 1853)
Where is my Owen, where is my true Love...
Language: English
Where is my Owen, where is my true Love ? O saw ye the shepherd that's dearest to me? Where art thou wandering? come haste to my view, love! O art thou not eager thy Mary to see? Long, long does he tarry, ah! surely some new love Detains o'er the mountains my Owen from me, But swains do not grieve me, still kindly deceive me, And answer thy Owen is constant to thee. Fain would I think so -- sad when we parted Appear'd the dear shepherd with tears in his eyes; Pale was his cheek, too, but many have smarted From treachery hidden in true love's disguise. For men 'tis most certain were ever false-hearted, And those who adore them, alas, they despise! But, oh! do not grieve me, still kindly deceive me, And tell me that Owen for Mary still sighs. Heavens, who comes yonder? ah 'tis my Owen, And smiling he hastens his Mary to greet! His tender impatience each eager step shewing, To which my fond heart gives an answering beat, Now, foolish tears, wherefore, why thus are ye flowing, My Owen will fancy I grieve when we meet, No, he'll never leave me, nor ever deceive me, O! heaven, those kind glances! my joy is complete.
J. Haydn sets stanzas 1, 3
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with The Harp of Renfrewshire: A Collection of Songs and Other Poetical Pieces (Many of which are original), Paisley: Alex. Gardner, 1872, pages 118-119.
Authorship:
- by Amelia Alderson Opie (1769 - 1853), "Where is my Owen?" [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 (Franz) Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809), "The red piper's melody (Digan y pibydd coch)", JHW. XXXII/4 no. 303b, Hob. XXXIb no. 34, stanzas 1,3 [sung text checked 1 time]
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2011-09-19
Line count: 24
Word count: 211