A War Song

Lyrics#

A SOLDIER’S SONG / A WAR SONG :Hear the whiz of the shot as it flies, :Hear the rush of the shell in the skies, :Hear the bayonet’s clash, ringing bright, :See the flash of the steel as they fight, :Hear the conqueror’s shout ! :As the foe’s put to rout ! :Hear the cry of despair :That is rending the air – :Now the neigh of a horse, now the bugle’s loud blast. :See! anger and pain, passion and shame, :A struggle for life, a thirst for fame. ::::Ah ! ::Glory or death, for true hearts and brave, ::Honour in life, or rest in a grave. :Now the warfare is o’er, life is past, :Now in peace lie the dead, still at last ; :Bronzed and brown, wan and pale, side by side, :Side by side, as they fought, fell and died ; :There they lie, rank and pride, :Rags and wealth, proved and tried. :Youth and age, fear and trust, :Scarred and scorched, in the dust ; :Gone for ever their pain, anger, passion, and shame, :Gone! tumult and smoke, conflict and din, :Gone, anguish and trouble, sorrow and sin, - ::::Ah ! ::Glory or death, for true hearts and brave, ::Honour in life, or rest in a grave.

Recordings#

• “The Unknown Elgar” includes “A War Song” performed by Stephen Holloway (bass), with Barry Collett (piano)
• Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar has “A War Song” performed by Peter Savidge (baritone), with David Owen Norris (piano).
• John Ireland - Orchestral Songs and Miniatures With a collection of the music of Ireland, two songs by Elgar are included: Follow the Colours and A War Song, performed by Roderick Williams (baritone), BBC Concert Orchestra/Martin Yates

References#

• 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)
• Moore, Jerrold N. “Edward Elgar: a creative life” (Oxford University Press, 1984)