Be still (Alfred Arthur Graley)

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• (Posted 2024-05-09)  CPDL #80592:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2024-05-09).   Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 356 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Be still
Composer: Alfred Arthur Graley
Lyricist: Alice Cary
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1874 Taintor Brothers
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text

Come, bring me wild pinks from the valleys,
Ablaze with the fire o’ the sun—
No poor little pitiful lilies
That speak of a life that is done!

And open the windows to lighten
The wearisome chamber of pain—
The eyes of my darling will brighten
To see the green hill-tops again.

Choose tunes with a lullaby flowing,
And sing through the watches you keep
He soft with your coming and going—
Be soft! she is falling asleep.

Ah, what would my life be without her!
Pray God that I never may know!
Dear friends, as you gather about her,
Be low with your weeping— be low.

Be low, oh, be low with your weeping!
Your sobs would be sorrow to her;
I tremble lest while she is sleeping
A rose on her pillow should stir.

Sing slower, sing softer and slower!
Her sweet cheek is losing its red—
Sing low, aye, sing lower and lower—
Be still, oh, be still! She is dead.