The Black Monk (Rutland Boughton)

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• (Posted 2023-09-27)  CPDL #75758:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-09-27).   Score information: Letter, 12 pages, 994 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Notes regarding the folksong included in the edition.

General Information

Title: The Black Monk
Composer: Rutland Boughton
Lyricist: Ceiriog Hughes
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB, B divisi
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1909 Novello and Co.
Description: Welsh Folk Song Y mynach du

Inclusion of notes regarding the folksong noted in edition comments.

Original text and translations

English text

The sad black monk of Chester old,
When loud the bells of the city tolled
He walked on the walls with drooping head,
And with himself communing, said:
Oh, how long in fetters strong
Will be kept our sovereign dear,
In our prison old and drear,
Night and day their chimes to hear.
It peals, the bells of liberty,
That freedom long and strong may stand,
Through Wales, O God, command.

But now, how changed our land and times
Since the monk last heard these holy chimes,
On the banks of Dee still hear today,
And till the end will hear alway,
These sacred bells will toll out their lay,
From the walls their peals you hail,
As joining with the wind they wail,
Night and day they ring away,
Now none for prisoned King bewails,
But glad as lark that sunrise hails,
For free today is Wales.

English translation Welsh of Ceiriog Hughes by Rev. D. Adams.