The new mistress (Jon Corelis)
- The New Mistress ( )
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CPDL #30171:
- Editor: Jon Corelis (submitted 2013-09-21). Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 90 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: The New Mistress
Composer: Jon Corelis
Number of voices: 1v Voicing: B
Genre: Secular, Art song
Language: English
Instruments: Other
Published: 2013
Description: My musical setting for one of A. E. Housman's poems. I've used the traditional Irish air O Arranmore. In the score, I've very slightly changed the original lyrics to fit the melody. Voice simulated by cello; the musical accompaniment is as an example of what might be done.
The lyrics:
The New Mistress by A. E. Housman
External websites: http://sites.google.com/site/jcorelis
Original text and translations
Oh, sick I am to see you, will you never let me be?
You may be good for something but you are not good for me.
Oh, go where you are wanted, for you are not wanted here.
And that was all the farewell when I parted from my dear.
I will go where I am wanted, to a lady born and bred
Who will dress me free for nothing in a uniform of red;
She will not be sick to see me if I only keep it clean:
I will go where I am wanted for a soldier of the Queen.
I will go where I am wanted, for the sergeant does not mind;
He may be sick to see me but he treats me very kind:
He gives me beer and breakfast and a ribbon for my cap,
And I never knew a sweetheart spend her money on a chap.
I will go where I am wanted, where there’s room for one or two,
And the men are none too many for the work there is to do;
Where the standing line wears thinner and the dropping dead lie thick;
And the enemies of England they shall see me and be sick.