"If the sun could tell us half" [William H. Harris]

"If the sun could tell us half" [William H. Harris]

First line of lyrics: If the sun could tell us half

Harris, William Henry, Sir; music (English, 1883-1973)

Rossetti, Christina Georgina; text (English, 1830-1894)

1925 [publication] [copyright]

London: H. F. W. Deane & Sons, The Year Book Press Ltd.

genre: children's music|song

solo: voice

chorus: children's unison chorus

instrumentation: piano

initial sharps/flats: one flat

initial time signature: 2/2

origin: United Kingdom

male composer

English

Rossetti poem(s): "'If the sun could tell us half'"

Composition history: This song was composed for The Year Book Press Series book called "Kikirikee: a sequel to Kookoorookoo" (1925), the second after “Kookoorookoo and Other Poems”. “Kikirikee: a sequel to Kookoorookoo” contains 34 songs, each setting a poem from Rossetti's collection “Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book," "words used by permission of Messrs. MacMillan And Co. Ltd." The Preface from “Koorookookoo and Other Poems”, the first of the two series, states: "'I will set as many as you like at once.' Such a stimulating remark from an English composer at the head of his profession could not fail to turn the scales in the mind of a hesitating Editor who wondered whether he was right in suggesting the musical treatment of the charming yet simple verses of Christina Rossetti. The Editor at once approached some of the many composers who have already shown through their sound work that there are men in England competent to help our children in forming a native musical appreciation based on contemporary English musical thought. One and all readily and cheerfully gave of their best, and the Editor and Publisher here record their grateful thanks. The Editor believes that the English public will welcome such work, and that the pleasure which the composers were pleased to express in doing the work will be equally felt by the children—grown-up and young—for whom this book is written. A unique 'Contents' page adds a touch of personal interest in the book.” Ives (DM202-DM227) writes that the first “collection originated with Martin Ackerman, the editor of the Year Book Press Music Series.”

Tempo markings: "Andante"

Dedication: "To Margaret (M. M. H.)"

Notes: "KEY F"

Format 1: musical score

Contains tonic sol-fa notation

2 pages

In reference to the published works below: Ives DM260; Gooch and Thatcher 4493

Reference: Ives, Maura. Christina Rossetti: A Descriptive Bibliography. New Castle, DE: Oak Knoll Press, 2011.

Reference: Gooch, Bryan N.S. and David S. Thatcher. Musical Settings of Early and Mid-Victorian Literature: A Catalogue. New York: Garland, 1979.

Reference: Ezust, Emily. The LiederNet Archive. http://www.lieder.net/lieder/index.html

Cataloguer: Roxanne Lafleur, University of Ottawa

musical score: "If the sun could tell us half." Kikirikee: a sequel to Kookoorookoo. London, H. F. W. Deane & Sons The Year Book Press Ltd., 1925, pp. 49-50. New York Public Library, New York.

Record: CRM-ifthesuncould-harris

"Copyright, 1925, by H. F. W. Deane & Sons The Year Book Press Ltd., 31 Museum Street, London, W.C.1."

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