While absent from these faithful arms (Nanny O) (Joseph Haydn)
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- Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2020-03-01). Score information: A4, 2 pages, 54 kB Copyright: CC BY SA
- Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download. Separate violin part provided
General Information
Title: While absent from these faithful arms (Nanny O)
Composer: Joseph Haydn
Lyricist: William Pearcecreate page
Number of voices: 1v Voicing: Solo high
Genre: Secular, Folksong
Language: English
Instruments: Keyboard, violin accompaniment
First published: 1792 in A selection of Original Scots Songs
Description: Hob. XXXIa.37 Fakesong from the Celtic tweelight
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
While absent from these faithful arms,
O'er distant hills my Henry hies,
Fears fondly framed my breast alarms,
And tears of passion bathe my eyes.
Along this secret grove I stray,
For oft at eve I've met him here,
And to illusive thought a prey,
I turn and fancy he is near.
Beneath these oaks, how he would kneel
And vow his love with life would last!
But mem'ry heightens all I feel,
With pain I recollect the past.
Some fairy guide me to the spot
Where hides the sov'reign of this heart;
Adieu sweet vales, adieu sweet cot,
My snowy lambs and I must part.
Thro' woods and wilds, 'midst thorns and brakes,
For thee, my lad, my way I'll keep,
'Til strength this tender frame forsakes;
When wearied, lie me down and wee.
But O, return, perfidious swain,
Thou weary wand'rer, cease to rove.
Ah, I haste to these fond arms again,
For none you meet like me will live.