Strings in the earth and air Make music sweet; Strings by the river where The willows meet. There's music along the river [For Love wanders there,]1 Pale [flowers]1 on his mantle, Dark leaves on his hair. All softly playing, With head to [the]3 music bent, And fingers straying Upon an instrument.
Chamber Music
Song Cycle by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947)
1. Make Music Sweet [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 1, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 not set by Berio.
2 Coulthard: "flow'rs"
3 omitted by Coulthard
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
2. Twilight [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
The twilight turns from amethyst To deep and deeper blue, The lamp fills with a pale green glow The trees of the avenue. The old piano plays an air, Sedate and slow and gay; She bends upon the yellow keys, Her head inclines this way. Shy thoughts and grave wide eyes and hands That wander as they list? The twilight turns to darker blue With lights of amethyst.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 2, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
3. Goldenhair [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
Lean out of the window, Goldenhair, I heard you singing A merry air. My book is closed; I read no more, Watching the fire dance On the floor. I have left my book, I have left my room, For I heard you singing Through the gloom, Singing and singing A merry air. Lean out of the window, Goldenhair.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 5, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- IRI Irish (Gaelic) [singable] (Gabriel Rosenstock) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
4. Where Love Did Sometime Go [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
O cool is the valley now And there, love, will we go For many a choir is singing now Where Love did sometime go. And hear you not the thrushes calling, Calling us away? O cool and pleasant is the valley And there, love, will we stay.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 16, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
5. Pain [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
Because your voice was at my side I gave him pain, Because within my hand I held Your hand again. There is no word nor any sign Can make amend He is a stranger to me now Who was my friend.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 17, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
6. Companion [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
He who hath glory lost, nor hath Found any soul to fellow his, Among his foes in scorn and wrath Holding to ancient nobleness, That high unconsortable one - His love is his companion.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 21, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
7. Gentle lady [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
Gentle lady, do not sing Sad songs about the end of love; Lay aside sadness and sing How love that passes is enough. Sing about the long deep sleep Of lovers that are dead, and how In the grave all love shall sleep: Love is aweary now.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 28, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
8. Rain has fallen [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
Rain has fallen all the day. O come among the laden trees: The leaves lie thick upon the way Of [mem'ries.]1 Staying a little by the way Of [mem'ries]1 shall we depart. Come, my beloved, where I may Speak to your heart.
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), appears in Chamber Music, no. 32, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Walter Riemer) , "Es hat geregnet", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (Sol Crespo) , copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 Szymanowski: "memories"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
9. I Hear an Army [sung text checked 1 time]
Language: English
I hear an army charging upon the land, And the thunder of horses plunging, foam about their knees: Arrogant, in black armour, behind them stand, Disdaining the reins, with flutt'ring whips, the charioteers. They cry unto the night their battlename: I moan in sleep when I hear afar their whirling laughter. They cleave the gloom of dreams, a blinding flame, Clanging, clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil. They come shaking in triumph their long, green hair: They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore. My heart, have you no wisdom thus to despair? My love, my love, why have you left me alone?
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, appears in Chamber Music, no. 36, first published 1907
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Walter Riemer) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Total word count: 496