First line of lyrics: A night was near, a day was near
Tempo markings: "Adagio con somma espressione"
Notes: The eigihth song of eight in the song collection called "Eight Christina Rossetti Poems" which includes 1. "Holy Innocents"; 2. "Somewhere or Other"; 3. "A Birthday"; 4. "Listening"; 5. Ballad"; 6. "Trust"; 7. "Boy Johnny"; 8. "Calling Me."
Liddle, Samuel; music (English, 1867-1951)
Rossetti, Christina Georgina; text (English, 1830-1894)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4462
Reference: Gooch, Bryan N.S. and David S. Thatcher. Musical Settings of Early and Mid-Victorian Literature: A Catalogue. New York: Garland, 1979.
Cataloguer: Sarah Pennington, University of Ottawa
musical score: Liddle, Samuel. "Calling Me." Eight Christina Rossetti Poems, Boosey & Co., 1900, pp. 37-41. British Library, London
London: Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd.
The Christina Rossetti in Music project website is hosted in Canada at the University of Ottawa Library, and we aim to comply with Canadian copyright laws. If you believe we have violated Canadian copyright law, please contact us at christinarossettimusic@uottawa.ca. The Christina Rossetti in Music project is strictly not for profit and intended for research and educational purposes only.
First line of lyrics: If you'll busk you as a bride
Notes: The seventh song of eight in the song collection called "Eight Christina Rossetti Poems," which includes 1. "Holy Innocents"; 2. "Somewhere or Other"; 3. "A Birthday"; 4. "Listening"; 5. Ballad"; 6. "Trust"; 7. "Boy Johnny"; 8. "Calling Me."
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4250
Reference: Ezust, Emily. The LiederNet Archive. http://www.lieder.net/lieder/index.html
musical score: Liddle, Samuel. "Boy Johnny." Eight Christina Rossetti Poems, Boosey & Co., 1900, pp. 33-35. British Library, London
First line of lyrics: The flow'rs that bloom in sun and shade
Notes: The sixth song of eight in the song collection called "Eight Christina Rossetti Poems," which includes 1. "Holy Innocents"; 2. "Somewhere or Other"; 3. "A Birthday"; 4. "Listening"; 5. Ballad"; 6. "Trust"; 7. "Boy Johnny"; 8. "Calling Me."
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4821
musical score: Liddle, Samuel. "Trust." Eight Christina Rossetti Poems, Boosey & Co., 1900, pp. 27-31. British Library, London
"Who Has Seen the Wind?" [Cecilia Livingston]
First line of lyrics: Above the grasses flat as ice
initial sharps/flats: no sharps or flats
Rossetti poem(s): "'Who has seen the wind?'"
Notes about the text: This work was inspired by Christina Rossetti's poem "'Who has seen the wind?'" It is included in its entirety at the top of the score but none of the words are found in the song.
Composition history: In the preface, the composer states: "I began the piece by writing the limpid folksong I could hear in Rossetti’s poem and that melody echoes throughout, although it really only emerges at the very end." Rossetti answers the question in her poem, but for Livingston it was "given its most complete address" in W.O. Mitchell's 1947 Canadian novel, "Who Has Seen the Wind," which she describes as "a beautiful exploration of childhood, and of prairie life in the 1930s." She goes on to say "The huge, stark skies of Manitoba and Saskatchewan haunt me, their relentless storms, their soft warm sun. And the music here reflects these extremes, in sections that are aggressive, dramatic, spare, and very lush."
Performance instructions: "Very simple; a folk-song lament"
Performance history: Premiered 13 May 2016, American Opera Projects, Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A. Jonathan Woody, bass-baritone; Kelly Horsted, piano. ("Who Has Seen The Wind?")
Livingston, Cecilia; music (Canadian, born 1984)
Other data reference(s): "Who Has Seen The Wind? for bass-baritone and piano." Cecilia Livingston, Canadian Music Centre, https://collections.cmccanada.org/final/Portal/Composer-Showcase.aspx?component=AF-Query-Composer&record=61843080-f290-4e7a-9715-b77d06c98e7f. Accessed 4 Feb. 2021.
Cataloguer: Jacob Spence and Roxanne Lafleur, University of Ottawa
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "Who Has Seen The Wind? for bass-baritone and piano." Cecilia Livingston, Canadian Music Centre, https://collections.cmccanada.org/final/Portal/Composer-Showcase.aspx?component=AF-Query-Composer&record=61843080-f290-4e7a-9715-b77d06c98e7f. Accessed 4 Feb. 2021.
Toronto: Canadian Music Centre / Centre de musique canadienne
9 pages; performance time approx. 7 minutes
"Valentine / Valentein" [Albert Mallinson]
First line of lyrics: More shower than shine brings sweet St. Valentine / Mehr Schauer bringt als Schein Sankt Valentein
Rossetti poem(s): "'More shower than shine'" also "Valentines from C.G.R.: 1880"
Notes: Included in the song collection called "Christina Rossetti's Songs," which includes 1. "What Comes?"; 2. "A Birthday"; 3. "Pastime"; 4. "There is a Budding Morrow in Midnight"; 5. "Boy Johnny"; 6. "Luscious and Sorrowful"; 7. "Valentine"; 8. "The Sunrise Wakes the Lark to Sing"; 9. "The Way of the World"; 10. "The Winter of My Year."
Mallinson, Albert; music (English, 1870-1946)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4644
musical score: Royal Academy of Music Library, London
Leipzig: Wilhelm Hansen, Musik-Forlag; Oakville: The Frederick Harris Music Co. Ltd.
"Boats Sail on the Rivers" [Marlys Swinger]
First line of lyrics: Boats sail on the rivers
Rossetti poem(s): "'Boats sail on the rivers'"
Notes: A note below the title reads "All children love rainbows. After learning this song, spend some time coloring rainbows." From a 1999 collection of children's songs called "Sing Through the Day," compiled and edited by Marlys Swinger, published by Plough Publishing House.
Swinger, Marlys; music (American, born 1926)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4244
Cataloguer: Emily McConkey, University of Ottawa
musical score: Swinger, Marlys. "Boats Sail on the Rivers." Sing Through the Day, Plough Pub. House, 1999, pp. 70-71. University of Alberta, Edmonton.
"Music: ©1968 by The Plough Publishing House."
"The Shepherds Had an Angel" [Harold W. Friedell]
First line of lyrics: The shepherds had an angel
genre: song|Christmas music|hymn|sacred music
Rossetti poem(s): "A Christmas Carol, for my Godchildren" ("The shepherds had an angel")
Friedell, Harold W.; music (American, 1905-1958)
musical score: Master's Seminary Library, Sun Valley, California
"Copyright, 1953, by Lee Hastings Bristol, Jr. and Harold William Friedell. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, in whole or in part, any of the material covered by this copyright or by previous copyright. Manufactured in the United States of America."
Record: CRM-christmascarolformygodchildren-friedell
File(s): CRM-christmascarolformygodchildren-friedell.pdf
First line of lyrics: Why were you born when the snow was falling?
Rossetti poem(s): "A Dirge" ("Why were you born when the snow was falling?")
Head, Michael Dewar; music (English, 1900-1975)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4349
Cataloguer: Mary Arseneau, University of Ottawa
musical score: Head, Michael. Michael Head Song Album, Volume II: Songs of Romance and Delight. Boosey & Hawkes, 1953. Private collection of Charlotte Stewart.
"© Copyright 1926 by Boosey & Co.; Ltd.; Renewed 1953. | Copyright for all countries. All rights reserved."
"The First Spring Day" [Montague Phillips]
First line of lyrics: I wonder if the sap is stirring yet
Rossetti poem(s): "The First Spring Day"
Tempo markings: "Allegretto" quarter note = 96
Phillips, Montague F.; music (English, 1885-1969)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4420
Other data reference(s): “The first spring day: three-part song for female voices, op. 72, no. 4.” WorldCat, https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/696159676. Accessed 19 Oct. 2018.
Cataloguer: Abbey Jurgeneit and Emily McConkey, University of Ottawa
musical score: Reid Music Library, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
London: Ascherberg, Hopwood and Crew, Chappell & Co. Ltd.
"Copyright 1954 by Ascherberg, Hopwood & Crew, Ltd., 16 Mortimer Street, London, W.I."
File(s): CRM-firstspringday-phillips.pdf
First line of lyrics: The earth was green, the sky was blue
Notes about the text: The second stanza of the poem is omitted from the lyrics of this song.
Performance instructions: "(peacefully.)"
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4442
"Copyright 1923 by Boosey & Hawkes. All rights reserved."
Cellini, Renato; music (Italian, 1912-1967)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4618
Other data reference(s): Record for “Mirage: for medium voice and piano/ Renato Cellini; Christina Georgina Rossetti.” WorldCat, www.worldcat.org/oclc/32233887. Accessed 11 Apr. 2018. Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series. Library of Congress Copyright Office: 1956. Google Books, https://books.google.ca/books?id=PjkhAQAAIAAJ. Accessed 11 Apr. 2018.
Cataloguer: Arianne Zamin, University of Ottawa
5 pages; performance time 1 minute and 45 seconds
First line of lyrics: The hope I dreamed of was a dream
Tempo markings: "Slowly and with feeling."
Notes: The first song of two in the collection called "Two Poems," settings of Christina Rossetti poems. The songs include 1. "Mirage" and 2. "Shall I forget?"
Cataloguer: Anna MacDonald, University of British Columbia
musical score: Lyon, James. Two Poems. L.H. Larway, 1911. Royal Academy of Music, London
London: L.H. Larway; Toronto: The Anglo-Canadian Music Co.
"The Performing Rights of this Song for Theatres and Musica Halls are Strictly Reserved. Copyright, MCMXI, for all Countries, by J. H. Larway."
First line of lyrics: "Shall I forget on this side of the grave?"
Tempo markings: "Adagio"; quarter note = 48
Notes: The second song of two in the collection called "Two Poems," settings of Christina Rossetti poems. The songs include 1. "Mirage" and 2. "Shall I forget?"
First line of lyrics: Give me the lowest place
Tempo markings: "Lento"; eighth note = 96
Notes: Part of a collection called "Four sacred songs," which include: "A hope" (C. Kingsley); "Mother to babe" (G. Meredith); "The call" (G. Herbert); "The lowest place" (C. Rossetti).
Ashley, Sydney Derick Morton; music (English, 1901-1976)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4591
Other data reference(s): "Four sacred songs : for contralto." WorldCat, http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3162809. Accessed 29 March 2021. "Ashley, Derick." Composers Classical Music, http://composers-classical-music.com/a/AshleyDerick.htm. Accessed 4 Oct. 2021. Advertisement for "Novello's Editions: A Selected List of Sacred Songs." The Musical Times, vol. 72, no. 1057, 1 Mar. 1931, p. 285. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/914903 . Accessed 4 Oct. 2021.
musical score: Four Sacred Songs, Novello & Company, 1930, pp. 4-5. University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
"Copyright, 1930, by Novello & Company, Limited"
"Ferry Me Across The Water" [Beatrice Macgowan Scott]
First line of lyrics: Ferry me across the water
Rossetti poem(s): "'Ferry me across the water'"
Composition history: "From Christina Rossetti's POEMS. Used by permission of The Macmillan Company."
Performance instructions: "For 1-2 treble voices" ("Introduction to part singing"). "(Accompaniment in Teachers' Book)"
Scott, Beatrice Macgowan; music (1880-1951)
Other data reference(s): "Introduction to part singing." WorldCat, http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/22148582. Accessed 7 April 2021.
musical score: Scott, Beatrice Macgowan. "Ferry Me Across The Water." Introduction to Part Singing, Hinds, Hayden & Eldredge, 1934, p. 64. Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland
First line of lyrics: Lullaby, oh, lullaby!
Rossetti poem(s): "'Lullaby, oh lullaby!'"
Composition history: "Composed for this Series [The Progressive Music Series]"
Geibel, Adam; music (American, born in Germany, 1855-1933)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4596
musical score: Geibel, Adam. "Lullaby." The Progressive Music Series, Book One, Silver, Burdett and Company, 1920, p. 122. Mount Allison University Library, Sackville
Boston, New York, Chicago: Silver, Burdett and Company
"Copyright, 1914, 1920, by Silver, Burdett and Company"
First line of lyrics: Lullaby, oh lullaby!
Dedication: "For Mary-Jane and Nancy Alma"
Zimbalist, Efrem; music (American, born in Russia, 1889-1985)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4606
Other data reference(s): "Lullaby, oh lullaby : voice and piano." WorldCat, http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/27080383. Accessed 7 April 2021.
musical score: Evansdale Library, West Virginia University, Morgantown
"Copyright 1944 by Elkan-Vogel Co., Inc. Philadelphia, Pa. | International Copyright Secured"
First line of lyrics: I have no wit, no words, no tears
Rossetti poem(s): "A Better Resurrection"
Tempo markings: "Larghetto semplice e sempre pianissimo"; quarter note = 68
Walker, Ernest; music (English, 1870-1949)
musical score: Walker, Ernest. "Water Meadows." Ten Preludes for the Organ, no. 3, Novello & Company, Limited, 1932, pp. 7-9. University of Alberta, Edmonton
"Copyright, 1932, by Novello & Company, Limited"
File(s): CRM-betterresurrection-walker.pdf
First line of lyrics: The Shepherds had an Angel
genre: carol|choral music|Christmas music|sacred music|song|children's music|hymn
chorus: congregational singing|children's unison chorus
Notes: Published in Songs of Praise, Oxford University Press, 1925, in a section called "For Children."
Holst, Imogen; music (English, 1907-1984)
In reference to the published works below: Gooch and Thatcher 4322
Other data reference(s): "Songs of praise." WorldCat, http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61647754. Accessed 14 April 2021.
Musical score: Songs of Praise, Oxford University Press, 1925, no. 439, pp. 658-659. Luther College Library, Decorah.
Record: CRM-christmascarolformygodchildren-holst
First line of lyrics: Now is winter and now is sorrow
Rossetti poem(s): "'Where shall I find a white rose blowing?'"
Composition history: "Words used by permission of Little, Brown & Co., Boston"
Tempo markings: "Slowly, with great breadth and dignity"; quarter note = 46
Dedication: "Dedicated to Christine Warnock Holmes"
Other data reference(s): "Now is winter: song." WorldCat, http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/47034370. Accessed 29 January 2021.
musical score: Baylor University Libraries, Waco
"Copyright MCMXV by the John Church Company International Copyright"
First line of lyrics: Fly away, fly away, over the sea
Rossetti poem(s): "'Fly away, fly away over the sea'"
Composition history: This setting is included in the 1914 book entitled “First Year Music: Rote Songs for Kindergarten and First Year,” edited by Hollis Dann, Mus. D., Professor of Music and Head of the Department of Music at Cornell University. The setting may have been composed by Dann, who writes in the Preface: "This book is intended to furnish suitable and attractive song material for the first year in music, together with directions for the presentation of the same. | The editor's special thanks are due to Miss Laura Bryant, Director of Music, and to the teachers in the Ithaca Schools, for invaluable assistance in trying out material. | Special care has been taken that the accompaniments should be simple and artistic. For expert assistance in this part of the work the editor is indebted to Mr. Arthur Edward Johnstone, who has assumed the task of revision where necessary, or (in certain instances) of providing entirely new accompaniments."
Other data reference(s): First Year Music: Rote Songs for Kindergarten and First Year. W.J. Gage and Company, edited by Hollis Dann, 1914.
musical score: "The Swallow." First Year Music: Rote Songs for Kindergarten and First Year. W.J. Gage and Company, 1914, p. 51. Westminster College, New Wilmington
New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: American Book Company
File(s): CRM-flyawayflyaway-anonymous.pdf
"Did one but know" [Maude Valérie White]
First line of lyrics: I wish I could remember that first day
Notes about the text: Adaption of the sonnet "I wish I could Remember" with slight alterations ("slip away" becomes "pass away"; addition of "That first moment/That first day" after poem's line 5; "That would not blossom for many a May" becomes "That would not blossom yet/For many, many a year"; alterations in last four lines of poem).
Composition history: "The words printed by permission of Messrs Macmillan & Co."
Tempo markings: "Allegretto ma non troppo."
Performance instructions: "(To be sung after the manner of Neapolitan Canzone.)"
White, Maude Valérie; music (English, born in France, 1855-1937)
In reference to the published works below: Ives DM135
Reference: Ives, Maura. Christina Rossetti: A Descriptive Bibliography. New Castle, DE: Oak Knoll Press, 2011.
First line of lyrics: Love, love is the key of life and death
Rossetti poem(s): "A Song for the Least of all Saints"
Composition history: "Written in 2003 for the composer's husband's birthday" ("Love is the Key, by Helen Williams"). Nigel Williams, the composer's husband, elaborates, "My wife's grandmother owned a copy, which was the source of words when she, Helen Williams, wrote a church motet in 2003. It was her birthday present to me that year" (Williams).
Performance instructions: "freely, tenderly"
Performance history: "The piece was sung at the first communion service taken by Revd Paul Cody at St Peter's Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton. The first performances were by the choir of St Martin's church, Epsom and then by Epsom Chamber Choir" ("Love is the Key, by Helen Williams").
Recordings: "Love is the Key." Lyrics by Christina Rossetti, performance by Epsom Chamber Choir, Michael Stevenson, conductor. 2018. SoundCloud, https://soundcloud.com/helenwilliamsatcanossa/love-is-the-key.
Other data reference(s): "Love is the Key, by Helen Williams." Canossa, http://www.canossa.co.uk/Love.html. Accessed 19 April 2021. Williams, Nigel. "Re: A Song for the Least of All Saints." Received by Mary Arseneau. 6 November 2020.
musical score: "Love is the Key, by Helen Williams." Canossa, http://www.canossa.co.uk/Love.html. Accessed 19 April 2021.
This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: "Love is the Key of Life and Death." Canossa, http://www.canossa.co.uk/Love.html. Accessed 19 April 2021.
2003 June [composition]; 2003 [copyright]
"Copyright © Helen Williams 2003." This score is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. The score appears on this website by kind permission of composer Helen Williams.
File(s): CRM-songfortheleast-williams.pdf
Other data reference(s): "Mirage: for voice and piano.” WorldCat, www.worldcat.org/oclc/39080051. Accessed 11 Apr. 2018.
Cataloguer: Arianne Zamin and Emily McConkey, University of Ottawa
musical score: Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland
"Copyright, 1939, by Lawrence Stevens | Copyright assigned, 1946, to G. Schirmer, Inc. | Copyright, 1946, by G. Schirmer, Inc. | International Copyright Secured | Printed in U.S.A."
Naylor, Bernard; music (English, 1907-1986)
Other data reference(s): “Mirage: song for baritone voice & pianoforte.” WorldCat, www.worldcat.org/oclc/56110244. Accessed 11 Apr. 2018.
musical score: Sydney Cox Library of Music and Dance, Cornell University