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University of Virginia Library

English melodies

By Charles Swain

Swain, Charles (1801-1874)

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[In a world of things ideal]

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I.

PART FIRST. SONGS AND LYRICAL PIECES

'TWAS COMING FROM THE VILLAGE CHURCH.

FORGET NOT THE UNHAPPY.

THE WOODBINE AND THE WILD ROSE.

I'VE GROWN SO NERVOUS LATELY.

NIGHT AND SILENCE.

BACCHUS AND THE PIRATES.

MY POOR OLD NURSE.

NATURE AND FASHION.

THE SUN OF LIFE.

THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM.

A HOLLOW AND A WHISTLING WIND.

I CANNOT SAY THAT EVERY DAY.

THE WOOD RANGERS.

WHY SHOULD THY VOICE.

THE HEART'S MUSIC.

THE HAIL IS BEATING.

HE'S CROSSING O'ER THE BRIDGE, JANE.

THE FIRST COUPLE.

THE NIGHT COMES COLD.

COME, LET ME TAKE THY HAND IN MINE.

THE ROAR OF THE TEMPEST.

MORN ON THE MEADOW.

EVER COMPLAINING.

DOWN THE FROZEN VALLEY.

ENOUGH AND TO SPARE.

AFFECTION UNREQUITED.

THOU WERT NOT THERE.

THE FATHERLESS HOME.

THE ROSE THOU GAV'ST.

THE CUP OF REGRET.

WHEN YOUTH WAS OURS.

WHEN OTHERS SPOKE.

COME, TELL THOSE EYES.

TO THE WORLDLING.

THE WINTER OF LIFE.

OH! EARLY CAME.

THEY SAY I HAVE NO CAUSE FOR GRIEF.

FROM THE ORIEL WINDOW.

FIVE IN THE MORNING.

I CANNOT PRETEND TO SAY.

CHILDHOOD'S HEART.

TEARS OF GLADNESS.

'TIS BETTER THAT LIFE SHOULD BE MERRY.

LUTE AND TAMBOURINE.

THOU LOV'ST ME NOT.

WHAT'S THE USE OF EXISTENCE.

TO HIM WHO FOR SIX DAYS.

THOUGH YE LIVE WITH SOME FOR YEARS.

WHAT NEED OF WORDS.

THE MOON HATH FILLED HER HORN.

THE ANGEL OF THE STORM.

OH! SOME WILL REMEMBER.

ABSENT FRIENDS.

IF THOU COULD'ST TEACH.

“WHERE PARTING IS NO MORE.”

IF THIS WORLD WE INHABIT.

THE FAIRY OF THE MOONBEAM.

EACH MAY SPEAK OF THE WORLD.

THOUGH THE LEAVES OF THE ROSE.

MANY HOPE THAT THE HEART.

THE WIFE'S RICHES.

BIRD AND RIVER.

THE LOVING HEART.

OH! FIRST TIME CAME.

TRUE LOVELINESS.

SPIRIT OF SONG.

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2.

PART SECOND. SONGS AND LYRICAL PIECES

THE WIDOWED MOTHER.

I HATE THOSE WILD SPIRITS.

STARS ON THE RIVER.

TEMPERANCE SONG.

OH! IT WAS IN THE MOONLIGHT.

AN EMBLEM.—A LONELY CLOUD.

TAKE THE WORLD AS IT IS.

THE SUN THAT WARMS.

A MORN OF LOVE.

MILDLY, OH! MOON OF NIGHT.

GILD YOUR FEATHERS.

OH! ASK NOT IF I LOVE THEE WELL.

COLD BLOWS THE BLAST.

SPEED YOUR SAILS.

THE LADYE ARABELLE.

IT IS BUT A COTTAGE.

LO! FROM THE EASTERN SKY.

OH! IF BEAUTY WERE ALL.

THE HOUR OF LOVE.

WHEN LOVE WE SONG THE BEST.

THOU DOST NOT LOVE ME.

THE TRUMPET HAD SOUNDED.

CORONATION SONG.

I LOOK TO THE WEST.

GOD MADE THE HEART.

COME, TELL ME THY SORROW.

THE SWEETEST OF ALL.

THE HEART AND ROSE.

NAY, STAY, WE'LL HAVE MANY SONGS MORE.

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212

THE WIFE'S RICHES.

And what have ye for wife to share,
And how should she be drest—
A silken gown for sabbath wear,
And bonnet of the best?
Nor silken gown, nor glove she'll get—
Nor lace, nor riband dear,
So if on these your mind be set,
I need not tarry here.

And where might the poor maiden dwell
Whom ye to church had shown?
I never yet of roof heard tell,
That ye could call your own.
Oh! little can my love impart,
For small indeed's my cot;
My wife must e'en dwell in my heart,
Till we find richer lot.

213

No richer lot would I possess—
No better home obtain—
The wife this little would not bless,
With riches would complain:
So—if ye love me, as you say—
Why then your love shall earn
A grateful wife—whichever way
The tide of fortune turn.