Beach – The Year’s at the Spring

Song Information

Title: The Year’s at the Spring

Music: Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (1867-1944)

Text: Robert Browning (1812-1889)

Sheet Music

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The year’s at the spring,
And day’s at the morn;
Morning’s at seven;
The hill-side’s dew-pearl’d;
The lark’s on the wing;
The snail’s on the thorn;
God’s in His heaven–
All’s right with the world!

Resources

  • Recmusic.org has the text.

d’Hardelot – Because

Song Information

Title: Because (Lorsque j’entends ton pas)

Music: Guy d’Hardelot (1858-1936) (pseudonym for Helen Rhodes)

Text:

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French:

Lorsque j’entends ton pas, comme en un rêve
Le fol espoir de te revoir s’élève,
Et vainement vers toi je tends les bras,
Quand j’entends ton pas.

Et quand divinement ta voix m’enchaîne,
Je vois s’évanouir toute ma peine,
Et tout ton être chante, et vibre en moi,
Quand j’entends ta voix.

Et puis tu viens à moi et je frissonne,
Tu prends ma main, et tout mon coeur se donne
A toi en un baiser brûlant d’émoi,
Car tu viens à moi!

English:

Because, you come to me, with naught save love,
and hold my hand and lift mine eyes above,
a wider world of hope and joy I see,
because you come to me!

Because you speak to me in accent sweet,
I find the roses waking round my feet,
and I am led through tears and joy to thee,
because you speak to me!

Because God made thee mine, I’ll cherish thee,
through light and darkness through all time to be,
and pray His love may make our love divine,
because God made thee mine!

Resources

  • Recmusic.org has the English text.

Beach – The Rainy Day

Song Information

Title: The Rainy Day

Music: Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (1867-1944)

Text: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

Sheet Music

Note: This appears to be Amy Beach’s first published song, written in 1880 when she was just 13. She was 16 when this was published.

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  • Available in unedited pages at the Library of Congress. (Note that the name on the cover page and the catalog entry are spelled incorrectly.)

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The day is cold, and dark, and dreary
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldr’ng wall,
But at ev’ry gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary.
My thoughts still cling to the mould’ring Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

Resources

  • Recmusic.org has the text.

Chaminade – Madrigal

Song Information

Title: Madrigal

Music: Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944)

Text: Georges van Ormelingen

Sheet Music

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  • Also available in C Major in the collection of 20 Mélodies by Chaminade at IMSLP

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Tes doux baisers sont des oiseaux
Qui voltigent fous, sur mes lèvres,
Ils y versent l’oubli des fièvres.
Tes doux baisers sont des oiseaux,
Aussi légers que des roseaux,
Foulés par les pieds blancs des chèvres.
Tes doux baisers sont des oiseaux
Qui voltigent fous, sur mes lèvres.

Comme de frivoles oiseaux
Aux ailes d’argent, aux bees mièvres,
Ainsi que sur des arbrisseaux
Ils viennent chanter sur mes lèvres,
Comme sculptés par des orfèvres
Avec de magiques ciseaux.
Tes baisers disent, doux oiseaux,
Leur chanson d’amour sur mes lèvres.

IPA Transcription:

IPA for Madrigal.

Resources

  • Recmusic.org has the text.

Beach – Hymn of Trust

Song Information

Title: Hymn of Trust

Music: Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (1867-1944)

Text: Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)

Sheet Music

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Love Divine, that stoop’d to share
Our sharpest pang, our bitt’rest tear,
O Love Divine, we smile at pain while Thou art near.
Though long the weary way we tread,
And sorrow crown each ling’ring year,
No path we shun no darkness dread,
Our hearts still whisp’ring,
Thou art near!

Love Divine, that stoop’d to share
Our sharpest pang, our bitt’rest tear,
O Love Divine, on thee we cast each earthborn care.
When drooping pleasure turns to grief,
And trembling faith is turn’d to fear,
The murm’ring wind, the quiv’ring leaf
Shall tell us softly,
Thou art near!

O Thee we fling our burd’ning woe,
O Love Divine, forever dear,
Content to suffer, while we know,
Living and dying,
Thou art near!

Resources

  • Recmusic.org has the text.

Chaminade – L’anneau d’argent

Song Information

Title: L’anneau d’argent

Music: Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944)

Text: Rosemonde Gérard (1871-1953)

Sheet Music

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  • Also available in E♭ in the collection of 20 Mélodies by Chaminade at IMSLP

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Le cher anneau d’argent que vous m’avez donné,
Garde en son cercle étroit nos promesses encloses;
De tant de souvenirs recéleur obstiné,
Lui seul m’a consolée en mes heures moroses.
Tel un ruban qu’on mit autour de fleurs écloses
Tient encor le bouquet alors qu’il est fané,
Tel l’humble anneau d’argent que vous m’avez donné
Garde en son cercle étroit nos promesses encloses.
Aussi, lorsque viendra l’oubli de toutes choses,
Dans le cercueil, de blanc satin capitonné,
Lorsque je dormirai, très pâle sur des roses,
Je veux qu’il brille encor à mon doigt décharné,
Le cher anneau d’argent que vous m’avez donné.

IPA Transcription:

IPA for L’anneau d’argent.

Resources

Delibes – Bonjour, Suzon!

Song Information

Title: Bonjour, Suzon!

Music: Léo Delibes (1836-1891)

Text: Alfred de Musset (1810-1857)

Sheet Music

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Bonjour Suzon, ma fleur des bois!
Es-tu toujours la plus jolie?
Je reviens, tel que tu me vois,
D’un grand voyage en Italie,
Du paradis j’ai fait le tour;
J’ai fait des vers, j’ai fait l’amour.
Mais que t’importe?
Je passe devant ta maison;
Ouvre ta porte.
Bonjour, Suzon!

Je t’ai vue au temps des lilas.
Ton coeur joyeux venait d’éclore.
Et tu disais: “je ne veux pas,
Je ne veux pas qu’on m’aime encore.”
Qu’as-tu fait depuis mon départ?
Qui part trop tôt tard revient trop tard.
Mais que m’importe?
Je passe devant ta maison;
Ouvre ta porte.
Bonjour, Suzon!

Resources

Jensen – Waldesgespräch

Song Information

Title: Waldesgespräch

Composer: Adolf Jensen (1837-1879)

Author: Joseph von Eichendorff (1788-1857)

Sheet Music

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Es ist schon spät, es wird schon kalt,
Was reitest du einsam durch den Wald?
Der Wald ist lang, du bist allein,
Du schöne Braut! Ich führ dich heim!

“Groß ist der Männer Trug und List,
Vor Schmerz mein Herz gebrochen ist,
Wohl irrt das Waldhorn her und hin,
O flieh! Du weißt nicht, wer ich bin.”

So reich geschmückt ist Roß und Weib,
So wunderschön der junge Leib,
Jetzt kenn ich dich – Gott steht mir bei!
Du bist die Hexe Lorelei.

“Du kennst mich wohl – vom hohen Stein
Schaut still mein Schloß tief in den Rhein.
Es ist schon spät, es wird schon kalt,
Kommst nimmermehr aus diesem Wald.”

Resources

Rosa (attr.) – Star vicino

Song Information

Title: Star vicino

Music:

Text: authorship unknown

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Star vicino al bell’ Idol che s’ama,
È il più dolce dilet to d’amor,
È un incanto, un’ ebbrezza, una brama,
Che due cori congiunge in un cor.

Fortunato chi intende gli accenti
Di un affetto sincero e fedel!
Egli prova vivendo i contenti
Sol concessi ai beato nel ciel!

A che giova l’etate fiorita?
Ogni bene che il cielo ne die
Non si conti fra i giorni di vita
Quel che scorso in amando non e.

Resources

  • Recmusic.org has the text.

Schumann – Er, der Herrlichste von Allen

Song Information

Title: Er, der Herrlichste von Allen (from Frauenliebe und -leben)

Composer: Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Author: Adelbert von Chamisso (1781-1838)

Sheet Music

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Er, der Herrlichste von allen,
Wie so milde, wie so gut!
Holde Lippen, klares Auge,
Heller Sinn und fester Mut.

So wie dort in blauer Tiefe,
Hell und herrlich, jener Stern,
Also er an meinem Himmel,
Hell und herrlich, hehr und fern.

Wandle, wandle deine Bahnen,
Nur betrachten deinen Schein,
Nur in Demut ihn betrachten,
Selig nur und traurig sein!

Höre nicht mein stilles Beten,
Deinem Glücke nur geweiht;
Darfst mich niedre Magd nicht kennen,
Hoher Stern der Herrlichkeit!

Nur die Würdigste von allen
Darf beglücken deine Wahl,
Und ich will die Hohe segnen,
Segnen viele tausendmal.

Will mich freuen dann und weinen,
Selig, selig bin ich dann;
Sollte mir das Herz auch brechen,
Brich, o Herz, was liegt daran?

Resources

Sarti – Lungi dal caro bene

Song Information

Title: Lungi dal caro bene (Giulio’s aria from Giulio Sabino)

Music: Giuseppe Sarti (1729-1802)

Text: Pietro Giovannini

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central (PDF files):

Elsewhere on the Internet:

  • PDF available at the National Library of Australia
    • Key: G Major
    • Range: A3 – G5
    • Note: This is a very old edition, presented as ornamented by Mr. Nathan.

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Lungi dal caro bene,
Vivere non poss’io;
Sono in un mar di pene;
Lungi dal caro bene,
Sento, sento mancarmi’l cor.
Un dolce estremo sonno,
Se lei mirar non ponno,
Mi chiuda, mi chiuda i lumi ancor.

Resources

Schubert – Ungeduld

Song Information

Title: Ungeduld

Music: Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Text: Wilhelm Müller (1794-1827)

Sheet Music

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Ich schnitt es gern in alle Rinden ein,
Ich grüb es gern in jeden Kieselstein,
Ich möcht es sä’n auf jedes frische Beet
Mit Kressensamen, der es schnell verrät,
Auf jeden weissen Zettel möcht ich’s schreiben:
Dein ist mein Herz und soll es ewig bleiben.

Ich möcht mir ziehen einen jungen Star,
Bis dass er spräch die Worte rein und klar,
Bis er sie spräch mit meines Mundes Klang,
Mit meines Herzens vollem, heissem Drang;
Dann säng er hell durch ihre Fensterscheiben:
Dein ist mein Herz und soll es ewig bleiben.

Den Morgenwinden möcht ich’s hauchen ein,
Ich möcht es säuseln durch den regen Hain;
Oh, leuchtet’ es aus jedem Blumenstern!
Trüg es der Duft zu ihr von nah und fern!
Ihr Wogen, könnt ihr nichts als Räder treiben?
Dein ist mein Herz und soll es ewig bleiben.

Ich meint, es müsst in meinen Augen stehn,
Auf meinen Wangen müsst man’s brennen sehn,
Zu lesen wär’s auf meinem stummen Mund,
Ein jeder Atemzug gäb’s laut ihr kund,
Und sie merkt nichts von all dem bangen Treiben:
Dein ist mein Herz und soll es ewig bleiben.

Resources

  • Recmusic.org has the text and translations.

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.

Bizet – Pastorale

Song Information

Title: Pastorale (Arranged from a chorus from L’Arlésienne)

Music: Georges Bizet (1838-1875)

Text: Jean-François Regnard (1655-1709)

Sheet Music

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Un jour de printemps,
Tout le long d’un verger
Colin va chantant,
Pour ses maux soulager:
Ma bergère, ma bergère, tra la la
Laisse-moi, laisse-moi prendre un tendre baiser
Oh! laisse-moi, ma bergère prendre un tendre baiser.
Ma bergère laisse-moi prendre un tendre baiser!

La belle, à l’instant
Répond à son berger:
»Tu veux, en chantant
Un baiser dérober?…
Non Colin, non Colin, Tra la la
Tu voudrais, en chantant prendre un tendre baiser
Non, non, non, non Colin, ne le prends pas,
Je vais te le donner…
Non, non, non Colin, ne le prends pas,
Je vais te le donner.

IPA Transcription:

IPA for Pastorale.

Resources

Marcello – Non m’è grave morir per amore

Song Information

Title: Non m’è grave morir per amore

Music: Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739)

Text: Authorship Unknown

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Misero! io vengo meno e mi riduco
all’ultimo momento di mia vita dolente
senza che Filli onde mi struggo ed ardo
miri questo trofeo del suo bel guardo.

Non m’è grave morir per amore:
sol provo dolore
perché Filli morir non mi vede.

Che sarebbe mia prospera sorte
soffrire la morte,
s’uno sguardo mi dasse in mercede.

Resources

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Tosti – Ave Maria

Song Information

Title: Ave Maria

Composer: Francesco Paolo Tosti (1846–1916)

Author: Carmelo Errico (1848-1892)

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

  • PDF: Ave Maria
    • Key: A Major
    • Range: E4 – E5
    • Source: Single sheet music selection as found in the Library of Congress Digital Collections. Scans were cleaned and straightened and repackaged as a PDF file.

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Per le fulgenti cupole dorate
La melodia dell’organo suonava;
Lento moriva il dì sulle vetrate;
Una nube d’incenso al ciel volava,
E dolcemente da ogni labbro uscia:
Ave Maria.

Nella blanda mestizia di quell’ora
Tutta serenità di paradiso,
Il cavaliere che sospiro ognora
M’apparve, e a lungo ci guardammo in viso:
Fu vana allora la preghiera mia,
Ave Maria.

Dall’azzurro del ciel stendi la mano
A me infelice dal dolore affranta;
Deh! ch’io non pianga e non t’invochi invano,
Arridi all’amor mio, Vergine santa:
Abbi pietà di me, Vergine pia.
Ave Maria.

Resources

  • Recmusic.org has the text.

Tosti – Aprile

Song Information

Title: Aprile

Composer: Francesco Paolo Tosti (1846–1916)

Author: Rocco Emanuele Pagliara (1856-1914)

Sheet Music

Free at Art Song Central:

  • PDF: Aprile
    • Key: A♭ Major
    • Range: E♭4 – E♭5
    • Source: Single sheet music selection as found in the Library of Congress Digital Collections. Scans were cleaned and straightened and repackaged as a PDF file.

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Non senti tu ne l’aria
il profumo che spande Primavera?
Non senti tu ne l’anima
il suon de nova voce lusinghiera?
È l’April! È la stagion d’amore!
Deh! vieni, o mia gentil su’ prati’n fiore!

Il piè trarrai fra mammole,
avrai su’l petto rose e cilestrine,
e le farfalle candide
t’aleggeranno intorno al nero crine.
È l’April! È la stagion d’amore!
Deh! vieni, o mia gentil su’ prati’n fiore!

Resources

Cesti – Tu mancavi a tormentarmi

Song Information

Title: Tu mancavi a tormentarmi

Music: Antonio Cesti (1623-1669)

Text: Unknown author

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Tu mancavi a tormentarmi,
Crudelissima speranza,
E con dolce rimembranza
Vuoi di nuovo avvelenarmi.

Ancor dura
La sventura
D’una fiamma incenerita,
La ferita
Ancora aperta
Par m’avverta
nuove pene.
Dal rumor delle catene
Mai non vedo allontanarmi.

Resources

Cavalli – Delizie contente, che l’alma beate

Song Information

Title: Delizie contente, che l’alma beate (from Giasone)

Music: Francesco Cavalli (1602-1676)

Text: Giacinto Andrea Cicognini (1606-1650)

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Delizie contente, che l’alma beate fermate.
Su questo mio core deh più,
deh più non stillate le gioie d’amore.
Delizie mie care, fermatevi qui:
non so più bramare, mi basta così.
In grembo agli amori fra dolci catene morir,
morir mi conviene, dolcezza omicida a morte,
a morte mi guida, mi guida in braccio al mio bene.

Resources

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Rontani – Se bel rio

Song Information

Title: Se bel rio

Music: Raffaello Rontani (d. 1622)

Text: Authorship Unknown

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Se bel rio, se bell’auretta
Fra l’erbetta
Sul mattin mormorand’erra;
Se di fiori un praticello
Si fa bello,
Noi diciam: ride la terra.

Quando avvien che un Zeffiretto
Per diletto
Bagni il piè nell’ onde chiare,
Sì che l’acqua su l’arena
Scherzi a pena,
Noi diciam che ride il mare.

Se già mai tra fior vermigli,
Se tra gigli
Veste l’alba un aureo velo
E su rote di zaffiro
Move in giro,
Noi diciam, che ride il cielo.

Ben è ver: quando è giocondo
Ride il mondo,
Ride il ciel quando è gioioso;
Ben è ver: ma non sanpoi,
Come voi,
Fare un riso grazioso.

Resources

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Falconieri – Vezzosette e care

Song Information

Title: Vezzosette e care

Music: Andrea Falconieri (1585/6-1656)

Text: Authorship unknown

Sheet Music

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  • Transcribed at Cipoo.net
    • Key: F Major
    • Range: D4 – F5
    • NoteWorthy Composer file available to edit or transpose.

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Song Text

Vezzosette e care
Pupillette ardenti,
Chi v’ha fatto avare
De’bei rai lucenti?

S’io rimiro i vostri
Sguardi scorgo sol fulmini e dardi:
Nè veder so piu quel riso
Che rendea si vago il viso.

Resources

Note: Art Song Central uses the Unicode symbols for sharps (♯) and flats (♭) in these song posts. If you are not able to see these, consider installing a more universal Unicode font on your computer.