a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 #

gustav holst - assemble all ye maidens lyrics

assemble, all ye maidens, at the door
and all ye loves, assemble; far and wide
proclaim the bridal, that proclaimed before
has been deferred to this late eventide:
for on this night the bride
the days of her betrothal over
leaves the parental hearth for evermore;
to+night the bride goes forth to meet her lover

reach down the wеdding vesture, that has lain
yet all unvisitеd, the silken gown:
bring out the bracelets, and the golden chain
her dearer friends provided: sere and brown
bring out the festal crown
and set it on her forehead lightly:
though it be withered, twine no wreath again;
this only is the crown she can wear rightly

cloak her in ermine, for the night is cold
and wrap her warmly, for the night is long;
in pious hands the flaming torches hold
while her attendants, chosen from among
her faithful virgin throng
may lay her in her cedar litter
decking her coverlet with sprigs of gold
roses, and lilies white that best befit her
sound flute and tabor, that the bridal be
not without music, nor with these alone;
but let the viol lead the melody
with lesser intervals, and plaintive moan
of sinking semitone;
all, all in choir, the virgin voices
rest not from singing in sk!lled harmony
the song that aye the bridegroom’s ear rejoices

let the priests go before, arrayed in white
and let the dark+stoled minstrels follow slow
next they that bear her, honoured on this night
and then the maidens, in a double row
each singing soft and low
and each on high a torch upstaying:
unto her lover lead her forth with light
with music, and with singing, and with praying

’twas at this sheltering hour he nightly came
and found her trusty window open wide
and knew the signal of the timorous flame
that long the restless curtain would not hide
her form that stood beside;
as scarce she dared to be delighted
listening to that sweet tale, that is no shame
to faithful lovers, that their hearts have plighted
but now for many days the dewy grass
has shown no markings of his feet at morn:
and watching she has seen no shadow pass
the moonlit walk, and heard no music borne
upon her ear forlorn
in vain has she looked out to greet him;
he has not come, he will not come, alas!
so let us bear her out where she must meet him

now to the river bank the priests are come:
the bark is ready to receive its freight:
let some prepare her place therein, and some
embark the litter with its slender weight:
the rest stand by in state
and sing her a safe passage over;
while she is oared across to her new home
into the arms of her expectant lover

and thou, o lover, that art on the watch
where, on the banks of the forgetful streams
the pale indifferent ghosts wander, and sn+tch
the sweeter moments of their broken dreams, ++
thou, when the torchlight gleams
when thou shalt see the sad procession
and when thine ears the fitful music catch
rejoice, for thou art near to thy possession

- gustav holst lyrics

Random Lyrics

HOT LYRICS