Music TheoryPrint

Edward Elgar

Through the Long Days

"Through the Long Days" is a song written by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1885 as No. 2 of his Op. 16, Three Songs. The words are from a poem by the American writer and statesman John Hay.

Lyrics#

German words by Ed. Sachs Through the Long Days Through the long days and years What will my lov’d one be, Parted from me?  Through the long days and years. Always as then she was Loveliest, brightest, best, Blessing and blest,  Always as then she was. Never on earth again Shall I before her stand, Touch lip or hand  Never on earth again. But, while my darling lives, Peaceful I journey on, Not quite alone,  Not while my darling lives,  While my darling lives. Tage und Jahre gehen Tage und Jahre geh’n, Wo wird mein Lieb wohl sein. Fremd und allein?  Tage und Jahre geh’n. Jedem ein Glück sie war, Lieblich und gut und rein, Wie Sonnenschein.  Jedem ein Glück sie war. Nie mehr auf dieser Welt Werde ich vor ihr steh’n, In’s Aug ihr seh’n.  Nie mehr auf dieser Welt. Wandr’ ich auch weit von hier, Lebt doch ihr Bild allein Im Herzen mein.  Lebt doch ihr Bild allein  In dem Herzen mein. Elgar expanded the original poem, which had just the first three lines of each verse.

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

Further reading#

  • 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)
    • *Poems by John Hay (1890) has the poem “Through the Long Days and Years”, Project Gutenberg
Composer
Edward Elgar