A Child Asleep
Encyclopedia
"A Child Asleep" is a song, with lyrics from a poem written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
. It was set to music by the English composer Edward Elgar
in December 1909 and published in 1910 by Novello. It was first published by Browning in 1840.
It is dedicated to Anthony Goetz, the son of Ludovic Goetz and Muriel Foster
, a favourite singer and personal friend of Elgar.
Vision unto vision calleth,
While the young child dreameth on.
Fair, O dreamer, thee befalleth
With the glory thou hast won!
Darker wert thou in the garden, yestermorn, by summer sun.
We should see the spirits ringing
Round thee, - were the clouds away.
'Tis the child-heart draws them, singing
In the silent-seeming clay -
Singing! - Stars that seem the mutest, go in music, music all the day.
Softly! softly, make no noises!
Now he lieth still and dumb -
Now he hears the angels' voices
Folding silence in the room -
Now he muses deep the meaning of the Heaven-words as they come.
He is harmless - we are sinful,-
We are troubled - he, at ease:
From his slumber, virtue winful
Floweth outward with increase -
Dare not bless him! but be blessèd by his peace - and go in peace.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era. Her poetry was widely popular in both England and the United States during her lifetime. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband, Robert Browning, shortly after her death.-Early life:Members...
. It was set to music by the English composer Edward Elgar
Edward Elgar
Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos...
in December 1909 and published in 1910 by Novello. It was first published by Browning in 1840.
It is dedicated to Anthony Goetz, the son of Ludovic Goetz and Muriel Foster
Muriel Foster
Muriel Foster was an English contralto, excelling in oratorio. Grove's Dictionary describes her voice as "one of the most beautiful voices of her time"....
, a favourite singer and personal friend of Elgar.
Lyrics
How he sleepeth!Vision unto vision calleth,
While the young child dreameth on.
Fair, O dreamer, thee befalleth
With the glory thou hast won!
Darker wert thou in the garden, yestermorn, by summer sun.
We should see the spirits ringing
Round thee, - were the clouds away.
'Tis the child-heart draws them, singing
In the silent-seeming clay -
Singing! - Stars that seem the mutest, go in music, music all the day.
Softly! softly, make no noises!
Now he lieth still and dumb -
Now he hears the angels' voices
Folding silence in the room -
Now he muses deep the meaning of the Heaven-words as they come.
He is harmless - we are sinful,-
We are troubled - he, at ease:
From his slumber, virtue winful
Floweth outward with increase -
Dare not bless him! but be blessèd by his peace - and go in peace.
Recordings
- The Unknown Elgar includes "A Child Asleep" performed by Teresa Cahill (soprano), with Barry Collett (piano).
- The Songs of Edward Elgar SOMM CD 220 Catherine Wyn-Rogers (soprano) with Malcolm Martineau (piano), at Southlands College, London, April 1999