The cuckoo (Louis Spohr)

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(Posted 2022-05-10) CPDL #69161:

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2022-05-10). Score information: A4, 11 pages, 301 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: The cuckoo
Composer: Louis Spohr
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: TTBB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: Piano

First published: 1879 The Orpheus (New series) no.95
Description: English version of Frühlingsorakel.

External websites:

Original text and translations

English text

Bird, with voice of warning true,
Vernal songster, oh, Cuckoo!
This young couple begs thy hearing,
E'er sweet Spring is disappearing,
Thy reply, dear bird ,they seek,
Will they prosper? do but speak,
Say cuckoo, still repeat.

Hear them, 'tis a loving pair,
Anxious wedlock's joys to share;
In them ardent youth is glowing,
Thro' their hearts true love is flowing,
May they not venture now to mate?
Say how much longer they must wait?
How long then? Hark! cuckoo, cuckoo,
All is quiet, only two!

Tho' no fault in them appears,
Patiently they'll wait two years.
But when married, what a squalling,
After Papa, Papa calling;
Know that nought will please them more,
Prophecy a goodly store.
Cuckoo, cuckoo,
If we're counted right you'll see,
Less than six there will not be.

Wouldst thou say at our entreating,
Will their life be long or fleeting?
Freely we the wish confess,
May long life their union bless.
Life has her a certain joy;
Joy that limits known destroy.
Sure they are of love's enduring,
While each other's bliss securing;
Should they ever false be found,
Nought in the world could heal the wound.
Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo.