Through the Long Days
Encyclopedia
”Through the Long Days” is a song written by the English composer Edward Elgar
in 1885 as his Op.16, No.2. The words are from a poem by the American writer and statesman John Hay
.
The song was composed when Elgar was on holiday at the home of his friend Dr. Charles Buck at Settle
between 10 - 31 August 1885. It was in memory of a mutual friend, Jack Baguley, who had just died.
The song, together with Like to the Damask Rose
, was first performed by Charles Phillips at St. James's Hall on 25 February 1897.
It was first published by Stanley Lucas (London) in 1887, dedicated to the Rev. E. Vine Hall,. When he received the first copies from the publisher, Elgar inscribed one of them to "Miss Roberts
from Edward Elgar, Mar 21 1887". It was re-published by Ascherberg in 1890, then in 1907 as one of the Seven Lieder of Edward Elgar
, with English and German words.
Elgar expanded the original poem, which had just the first three lines of each verse.
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 1885 as his Op.16, No.2. The words are from a poem by the American writer and statesman John Hay
John Hay
John Milton Hay was an American statesman, diplomat, author, journalist, and private secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln.-Early life:...
.
The song was composed when Elgar was on holiday at the home of his friend Dr. Charles Buck at Settle
Settle
Settle is a small market town and civil parish within the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England. It is served by the Settle railway station, which is located near the town centre, and Giggleswick railway station which is a mile away. It is from Leeds Bradford Airport...
between 10 - 31 August 1885. It was in memory of a mutual friend, Jack Baguley, who had just died.
The song, together with Like to the Damask Rose
Like to the Damask Rose
”Like to the Damask Rose” is a poem either by Francis Quarles called "Hos ego versiculos", or by Simon Wastell called “The flesh profiteth nothing”. It was set to music by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1892....
, was first performed by Charles Phillips at St. James's Hall on 25 February 1897.
It was first published by Stanley Lucas (London) in 1887, dedicated to the Rev. E. Vine Hall,. When he received the first copies from the publisher, Elgar inscribed one of them to "Miss Roberts
Caroline Alice Elgar
Caroline Alice, Lady Elgar was an English author of verse and prose fiction, who married the composer Edward Elgar.- Family :...
from Edward Elgar, Mar 21 1887". It was re-published by Ascherberg in 1890, then in 1907 as one of the Seven Lieder of Edward Elgar
Seven Lieder of Edward Elgar
The Seven Lieder of Edward Elgar is a set of songs by the English composer Edward Elgar published together in 1907, by Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew Ltd.The set was published with German words 'by Ed...
, with English and German words.
Lyrics
German words by Ed. SachsEnglish THROUGH THE LONG DAYS
|
German TAGE UND JAHRE GEHEN
|
Elgar expanded the original poem, which had just the first three lines of each verse.
See also
- Works by John Hay - at Project Gutenberg has the poem "Through the Long Days and Years"
Recordings
- Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar has "Through the Long Days" performed by Mark Wilde (tenor), with David Owen Norris (piano).
- The Songs of Edward Elgar SOMM CD 220 Neil Mackie (tenor) with Malcolm Martineau (piano), at Southlands College, London, April 1999