A War Song
# A War Song

A War Song, inizialmente chiamato A Soldier's Song, era una poesia scritta da Charles Flavell Hayward e messa in musica dal compositore inglese Edward Elgar nel 1884.

## Storia

Come A Soldier's Song, fu la prima canzone pubblicata da Elgar, che apparve su Magazine of Music nel 1890. Era dedicata a "F. G. P." (Frederick Pedley), che aveva tenuto la sua prima esecuzione il 17 marzo 1884 durante una riunione del Worcester Glee Club presso il Crown Hotel, Broad Street, Worcester.

Nel 1903 fu ripubblicata da Boosey & Co. con il titolo A War Song, come Op. 5 di Elgar. La copertina della canzone mostra chiaramente "Op.5, No.1", ma non è noto alcun altro lavoro con numero di opus 5, anche se J.F. Porte nel suo libro che descrive le opere di Elgar elogia "i due pezzi che fanno parte dell'Opus 5." Fu eseguita alla Royal Albert Hall il 1º ottobre di quell'anno.

## Versi

A SOLDIER'S SONG / A WAR SONG

    Hear the whiz of the shot as it flies,
    Hear the rush of the shell in the skies,
    Hear the bayonet’s clash, ringing bright,
    See the flash of the steel as they fight,
    Hear the conqueror’s shout !
    As the foe’s put to rout !
    Hear the cry of despair
    That is rending the air –
    Now the neigh of a horse, now the bugle’s loud blast.
    See! anger and pain, passion and shame,
    A struggle for life, a thirst for fame.
             Ah !
       Glory or death, for true hearts and brave,
       Honour in life, or rest in a grave.
    Now the warfare is o’er, life is past,
    Now in peace lie the dead, still at last ;
    Bronzed and brown, wan and pale, side by side,
    Side by side, as they fought, fell and died ;
    There they lie, rank and pride,
    Rags and wealth, proved and tried.
    Youth and age, fear and trust,
    Scarred and scorched, in the dust ;
    Gone for ever their pain, anger, passion, and shame,
    Gone! tumult and smoke, conflict and din,
    Gone, anguish and trouble, sorrow and sin, -
             Ah !
       Glory or death, for true hearts and brave,
       Honour in life, or rest in a grave.

## Incisioni

* "The Unknown Elgar" includes "A War Song" performed by Stephen Holloway (bass), with Barry Collett (piano)
* Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar has "A War Song" performed by Peter Savidge (baritone), with David Owen Norris (piano).
* John Ireland - Orchestral Songs and Miniatures With a collection of the music of Ireland, two songs by Elgar are included: Follow the Colours and A War Song, performed by Roderick Williams (baritone), BBC Concert Orchestra/Martin Yates
