A War Song

”A Soldier's Song” is a poem written by G. Flavell Hayward. [Charles Flavell Hayward (1863-1906) was born in Wolverhampton, England into a show-business family. He was an actor, poet, violinist, conductor, composer and arranger of music. He was a friend of Elgar's and played at the same desk in the violins. His father Henry Hayward was a violinist known as the "English Paganini". The family emigrated to New Zealand where he, his brothers, their wives and other family (known as "The Brescian Family") made their living in the theatre, which included the novelty of a moving picture show or bioscope as it was called. He died in Adelaide, Australia. His most well-known song (he wrote the lyrics and the music) is called "Come back to me" which was sung by his sister Florence Hayward.] It was set to music by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1884.

Its first performance was by Fred Pedley [Young, "Elgar O. M." p.53] at the Worcester Glee Club meeting in the Crown Hotel, Worcester on 17 March 1884.

It was published in "Magazine of Music" in 1890, his first published song, and was dedicated to "F. G. P." (Fred Pedley).

In 1903 it was re-published with the name "A War Song", as Elgar's Op. 5, and performed at the Royal Albert Hall on 1st October of that year.

Lyrics

A SOLDIER'S SONG / A WAR SONG

:Hear the whiz of the shot as it flies,:Hear the rush of the shell in the skies,:Hear the bayonet’s clash, ringing bright,:See the flash of the steel as they fight,:Hear the conqueror’s shout !:As the foe’s put to rout !:Hear the cry of despair:That is rending the air –:Now the neigh of a horse, now the bugle’s loud blast,:See! anger and pain, passion and shame,:A struggle forl life, a thirst for fame.::::Ah !

::Glory or death, for true hearts and brave,::Honour in life, or rest in a grave.

:Now the warfare is o’er, life is past,:Now in peace lie the dead, still at last ;:Bronzed and brown, wan and pale, side by side,:Side by side, as they fought, fell and died ;:There they lie, rank and pride,:Rags and wealth, proved and tried.:Youth and age, fear and trust,:Scarred and scorched, in the dust ;:Gone for ever their pain, anger, passion, and shame,:Gone! tumult and smoke, conflict and din,:Gone, anguish and trouble, sorrow and sin, -::::Ah !

::Glory or death, for true hearts and brave,::Honour in life, or rest in a grave.

Recordings

* [http://www.amazon.com/Elgar-Edward/dp/B00002610Y "The Unknown Elgar"] includes "A War Song" performed by Stephen Holloway (bass), with Barry Collett (piano)
* [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 "A War Song" performed by Peter Savidge (baritone), 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

*cite book | last=Young | first=Percy M. | title=Elgar O.M.: a study of a musician | location=London | publisher=Collins| year=1973 | oclc=869820

*cite book | last=Young | first=Percy M. | coauthors= | title=Letters of Edward Elgar and other writings | location=London | publisher=Geoffrey Bles | year=1956 | isbn=

Notes