As I laye a-thynkynge (Mentre giaccio pensando) è l'ultima poesia scritta da "Thomas Ingoldsby" (Richard Barham), messa in musica dal compositore inglese Edward Elgar nel 1888.
Storia La canzone fu pubblicata nel 1888 da Beare & Son,John Beare era un editore musicale londinese, cognato dell'amico di Elgar, il dottor Charles Buck of Settle, nello Yorkshire ma potrebbe essere stata scritta nell'anno precedente. È una canzone per soprano o tenore.
Versi Elgar ha omesso i due versi racchiusi tra parentesi quadre [ ] - il quinto e il sesto versetto della poesia.
AS I LAYE A-THYNKYNGE
As I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, Merrie sang the Birde as she sat upon the spraye! There came a noble Knyghte, With his hauberke shynynge brighte, And his gallant heart was lyghte, Free and gaye; As I laye a-thynkynge, he rode upon his waye.
As I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, Sadly sang the Birde as she sat upon the tree! There seemed a crimson plain, Where a gallant Knyghte lay slayne, And a steed with broken rein Ran free, As I laye a-thynkynge, most pitiful to see!
As I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, Merrie sang the Birde as she sat upon the boughe; A lovely Mayde came by, And a gentil youth was nyghe, And he breathed many a syghe And a vowe; As I laye a-thynkynge, her heart was gladsome now.
As I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, Sadly sang the Birde as she sat upon the thorne; No more a youth was there, But a Maiden rent her haire, And cried out in sad despaire, 'That I was borne!' As I laye a-thynkynge, she perished forlorne.
[ As I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, Sweetly sang the Birde as she sat upon the briar; There came a lovely Childe, And his face was meek and mild, Yet joyously he smiled On his sire; As I laye a-thynkynge, a Cherub mote admire.
But I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, And sadly sang the Birde as it perch'd upon a bier; That joyous smile was gone, And that face was white and wan, As the downe upon the Swan Doth appear As I laye a-thynkynge - oh! bitter flow'd the tear! ]
As I laye a-thynkynge the golden sun was sinking, O merrie sang that Birde as it glittered on her breast With a thousand gorgeous dyes, While soaring to the skies, 'Mid the stars she seem'd to rise, As to her nest; As I laye a-thynkynge, her meaning was exprest:- 'Follow, follow me away, It boots not to delay,'- 'Twas so she seem'd to saye, 'HERE IS REST!' T. I.
Ascolto online Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar Prima registrazione di "As I laye a-thynkynge" eseguita da Amanda Pitt (soprano), con David Owen Norris (pianoforte).
Note
Bibliografia Banfield, Stephen, Sensibility and English Song: Critical studies of the early 20th century (Cambridge University Press, 1985) Kennedy, Michael, Portrait of Elgar (Oxford University Press, 1968)
Collegamenti esterni
Categoria:Composizioni di Edward Elgar Categoria:Brani musicali