- After (Elgar)
”After” is a song written by the English composer
Edward Elgar in 1895, as his Op.31, No.1, with the words from a poem byPhilip Bourke Marston .The manuscript is dated 21st June 1895.
The song was first performed by the Irish baritone
Harry Plunket Greene inSt. James's Hall on 2nd March 1900, together withA Song of Flight , Op. 31, No.2.Lyrics
AFTER
:A little time for laughter,::A little time to sing,::A little time to kiss and cling,:And no more kissing after.
:A little while for scheming::Love's unperfected schemes ;::A little time for golden dreams,:Then no more any dreaming.
:A little while 'twas given::To me to have thy love ;::Now, like a ghost, alone I move:About a ruined heaven.
:A little time for speaking::Things sweet to say and hear ;::A time to seek, and find thee near,:Then no more any seeking.
:A little time for saying::Words the heart breaks to say;::A short, sharp time wherein to pray,:Then no more need for praying;
:But long, long years to weep in,::And comprehend the whole::Great grief, that desolates the soul,:And eternity to sleep in.
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 "After" performed by Amanda Pitt (soprano), with David Owen Norris (piano).
References
*Banfield, Stephen, "Sensibility and English Song: Critical studies of the early 20th century" (Cambridge University Press, 1985) ISBN 052137944X
*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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