Queen Mary's Song
# Queen Mary's Song

”Queen Mary's Song” is a song written by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1889. The words are from Lute Song by Tennyson.

It was composed between 14 June and 1 July 1889, and dedicated to 'J. H. Meredith'.

The song was first published by Orsborn & Tuckwood in 1889, then by Ascherberg in 1892. It was re-published in 1907 as one of the Seven Lieder of Edward Elgar, with English and German words.

## Lyrics

German words by Ed. Sachs

| English Queen Mary's Song Hapless doom of woman happy in betrothing, Beauty passes like a breath and love is lost in loathing: Low! my lute: Speak low, speak low, my lute, but say the world is nothing. Low! lute, low ! Love will hover round the flowers when they first awaken; Love will fly the fallen leaf, and not be overtaken; Low, my lute ! O low, O low, my lute! we fade and are forsaken. Low, dear lute, low ! | German Maria Stuart's Lied zur Laute Glücklos Schicksal des Weibes, Glücklich nur im Wähnen, Schönheit schwindet wie ein Hauch, Und Lieb' vergeht in Tränen: Leis', mein Spiel ! Tön' leis, o leis, mein Spiel, doch sag der Welt mein Sehnen. Sanft! Laute, sanft ! Liebe schützt die zarten Keime, Wenn sie Wurzel fassen; Liebe flieht die welken Blüten, Wenn Farb' und Leben blassen; Leis', mein Spiel ! Tön' leis, o leis, mein Spiel! Verwelkt sind wir verlassen. Sanft, o Laute, sanft ! |
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## Recordings

* Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar has "Queen Mary's Song" performed by Amanda Pitt (soprano), with David Owen Norris (piano).
* Elgar: Complete Songs for Voice & Piano Konrad Jarnot (baritone), Reinild Mees (piano)
* The Songs of Edward Elgar SOMM CD 220 Catherine Wyn-Rogers (soprano) with Malcolm Martineau (piano), at Southlands College, London, April 1999
