Child's Song

for voice and piano

General Information – Performing Forces – Manuscript – Publication – Recordings – Text

General Information

Composition:
Manuscript is dated July 1918.

First Documented Performance:
Thursday, 9 April 1992. Liddiard Theatre, Darlington. Teresa Troiani soprano, Eileen Bown piano. British Music Society Concert of British Songs

Text:
A. C. Swinburne (1837–1909)
Click here for complete text.

Performing Forces:

Voice

Piano

Manuscript:

Frederick R. Koch Collection. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Manuscript FRKF 1334. Autograph manuscript score. Dated 'July 1918'. 3 pages.

Publication:

Oxford University Press. Included in Four Early Songs, 2002, 019 3458683.
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: Four Early Songs]

Recordings:

This work has never been recorded.

Text:

What is gold worth, say,
Worth for work or play,
Worth to keep or pay,
Hide or throw away,
        Hope about or fear?
What is gold worth, pray?
        Worth a tear?

Golden on the mould
Lie the dead leaves rolled
Of the wet woods old,
Yellow leaves and cold,
        Woods without a dove;
Gold is worth but gold;
        Love's worth love.

— A. C. Swinburne (1837–1909)

WilliamWalton.net – Catalogue of Works – Solo Vocal Music