Always and Everywhere
”Always and Everywhere” is a song by the English composer Edward Elgar with words translated from the Polish of Zygmunt Krasiński by Frank H. Fortey.[1] It was composed and published in 1901.
The repeated ”Always and Everywhere” would have reminded the composer that the initials were those of his wife (Alice) and himself.[2]
Lyrics
[edit]O say not, when my earthly days are o'er,
That I have only caused thee sorrows sore;
For I have wrecked my own life, even more,
Always and Everywhere.
O say not, when on earth I no more dwell,
That I have numbed thy young heart’s joyous swell;
I, too, have quaffed the Poison-Cup of Hell,
Always and Everywhere.
But say, when soft the grasses o'er me wave,
That God is kind to hide me in the grave;
For both my life and thine I did enslave,
Always and Everywhere.
But say, O say! when my last hours depart,
That my poor life was one long frenzied smart;
For I have loved thee, though with bitter heart,
Always and Everywhere.[3]
Recordings
[edit]- "The Unknown Elgar" includes "Always and Everywhere" performed by Teresa Cahill (soprano), with Barry Collett (piano).
- Elgar: Complete Songs for Voice & Piano Amanda Roocroft (soprano), Reinild Mees (piano)
References
[edit]- ^ Moore (p. 346) describes Fortey as "an elderly resident of Birmingham". However the 1901 census shows him a boarder at 15 Wharf Road, King's Norton (nor far from Birmingham), aged only 25. Frank H. Fortey was a translator of Polish literature, his main work being the poems of Mickiewicz. He died in 1940.
- ^ Moore, p.346
- ^ "Always and Everywhere (Elgar, Edward)". imslp.org. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
- Kennedy, Michael, Portrait of Elgar (Oxford University Press, 1968) ISBN 0-19-315414-5
- Moore, Jerrold N. “Edward Elgar: a creative life” (Oxford University Press, 1984) ISBN 0-19-315447-1
External links
[edit]- Always and Everywhere: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
