- Come, gentle night!
"Come, gentle night!" is a poem by Clifton Bingham [Clifton Bingham (1859-1913) was an English author of poems and childrens books, many of them illustrated by
Louis Wain .] set to music by the English composerEdward Elgar in 1901.It is a song for soprano voice.
The song was published by Boosey in 1901, and the title page advertised that it was sung by
Clara Butt .Lyrics
::Come, gentle night!:Upon our eye-lids lay thy fingers light ;:For we are tired, and fain aside would lay:The cares and burdens that surround the day.
::Come, peaceful night!:Thy courier-stars already glitter bright ;:And we who labour, both unblest and blest,:Are weary of our work, and long for rest.
::Come, holy night!:Long is the day and ceaseless is the fight;:Around us bid thy quiet shadows creep,:And rock us in thy sombre arms to sleep!
Recordings
* [http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Works-Songs-Piano-Music-By-Edward-Elgar-MP3-Download/11044195.html Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar] has "Come, gentle night!" performed by Amanda Pitt (soprano), with David Owen Norris (piano).
* [http://www.elgarfoundation.org/trolleyed/2/12/40/index.htm Elgar: Complete Songs for Voice & Piano] Konrad Jarnot (baritone), Reinild Mees (piano)
References
*Kennedy, Michael, "Portrait of Elgar" (Oxford University Press, 1968) ISBN 0193154145
*Moore, Jerrold N. “Edward Elgar: a creative life” (Oxford University Press, 1984) ISBN 0193154471
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