A Song of Flight
Encyclopedia
"A Song of Flight" is a song written by the English composer Edward Elgar
in 1895, as his Op.31, No.2, with the words from a poem by Christina Rossetti
.
The song was first performed by the Irish baritone Harry Plunket Greene
in St. James's Hall on 2 March 1900, together with After
, Op. 31, No. 1.
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 1895, as his Op.31, No.2, with the words from a poem by Christina Rossetti
Christina Rossetti
Christina Georgina Rossetti was an English poet who wrote a variety of romantic, devotional, and children's poems...
.
The song was first performed by the Irish baritone Harry Plunket Greene
Harry Plunket Greene
Harry Plunket Greene was an Irish baritone singer who was most famous in the formal concert and oratorio repertoire. He made a great contribution to British musical life also by writing and lecturing upon his art, and in the field of competitions and examinations...
in St. James's Hall on 2 March 1900, together with After
After (Elgar)
”After” is a song written by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1895, as his Op.31, No.1, with the words from a poem by Philip Bourke Marston.The manuscript is dated 21 June 1895....
, Op. 31, No. 1.
Lyrics
A SONG OF FLIGHT- While we slumber and sleep
- The sun leaps up from the deep.
- Daylight born at the leap!
- Rapid, dominant, free,
- Athirst to bathe in the uttermost sea.
- While we linger at play,
- If the year would stand at May!
- Winds are up and away
- Over land, over sea,
- To their goal wherever their goal may be.
- It is time to arise
- To race for the promised prize,
- The Sun flies, the Wind flies.
- We are strong, we are free,
- And home lies beyond the stars and the sea.