Lillie of the snow-storm (Henry Clay Work)

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• (Posted 2023-12-19)  CPDL #78354:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-12-19).   Score information: Letter, 12 pages, 548 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Lillie of the snow-storm
Composer: Henry Clay Work
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1867 Root & Cady
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text

To his home, his once white, once loved cottage,
Late at night, a poor inebriate came;
To his wife, the waiting wife and daughter,
Who for him had fanned the midnight flame:
Rudely met, they answered him with kindness—
Gave him all their own un-tasted store;
’Twas but small, and he with awful curses,
Spurned the gift, and drove them from his door.

While the storm, the wild, wild wintry tempest
Swept across the prairies cold and white;
What a shame that Lillie and her mother
Were abroad on such a fearful night!

Far across the prairie stood a dwelling,
Where from harm they oft had found retreat;
Thither now, all brave and uncomplaining
Did they urge their weary, way-worn feet:
But their strength, unequal to their courage,
Failed them as they wandered to and fro;
Till, at last, the feeble, fainting mother,
Speechless sank upon the drifted snow.

Lillie prays— the harps are hushed in Heaven—
Angels poise them midway in the sky;
Up from earth there comes a wail of sorrow,
Such a wail as must be heard on High:
“Father dear! my other, better Father!
Won’t you hear your daughter Lillie pray?
Won’t you send some strong and careful angel,
Who will help my mother on her way?”

Morning dawns— the husband and the father,
Sobered now, to seek his flock has come;
Lillie dear is living, but her mother—
Hours ago, an angel bore her home:
Ah, poor man! now bitter is his anguish,
As he now repents his punished sin,
Bending o’er the child, who, half unconscious,
Sadly cries, “Please, father, let us in!”