CBR Opus 11

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Opus 11
It was an English Ladye bright

This work was originally written in 1902 for voice and full orchestra.

A simpler version for voice and piano was then published in 1904 and is dedicated
"To R. Kennerley Rumford, Esq.".

About this work

Originally composed for solo contralto or baritone and orchestra in 1902, this work was eventually published in 1904 in this simpler version for voice and piano.

The work is dedicated "To R. Kennerley Rumford, Esq.", a notable baritone recitalist and the husband of contralto Clara Butt (once a pupil of CBR's father Daniel Wilberforce Rootham). There is a short biography of Kennerley Rumford on Wikipedia.

Op.11 is one of several songs by CBR which can only be described as dramatic and tragic - even bloodthirsty. For examples, see Op.19 "The Ballad of Kingslea Mere" (1905) and Op.68 "The Twa Sisters o' Binnorie" (1922): no happy endings there...

Publication status

Originally published by Boosey & Co in 1904, the sheet music for this song has been out of print for a long time. But the work has now been typeset, and we intend to publish it in the course of 2018.

Op.11 original edition — *Original 1904 edition by Boosey & Co*

About this recording

This synthesized playback was created by the free MuseScore notation software. Until we have a performance recording, we are providing this feature so that researchers can follow the score.

It was an English Ladye bright

by Sir Walter Scott

It was an English ladye bright,
(The sun shines fair on Carlisle wall,)
And she would marry a Scottish knight,
For Love will still be lord of all.

Blithely they saw the rising sun
When he shone fair on Carlisle wall;
But they were sad ere day was done,
Though Love was still the lord of all.

Her sire gave brooch and jewel fine,
Where the sun shines fair on Carlisle wall;
Her brother gave but a flask of wine,
For ire that Love was lord of all.

For she had lands both meadow and lea,
Where the sun shines fair on Carlisle wall,
And he swore her death, ere he would see
A Scottish knight the lord of all.

That wine she had not tasted well
(The sun shines fair on Carlisle wall,)
When dead, in her true love's arms, she fell,
For Love was still the lord of all!

He pierced her brother to the heart,
Where the sun shines fair on Carlisle wall:
So perish all would true love part
That Love may still be lord of all!

And then he took the cross divine,
Where the sun shines fair on Carlisle wall,
And died for her sake in Palestine;
So Love was still the lord of all.

[final stanza, not used in the CBR setting]:
Now all ye lovers, that faithful prove,
(The sun shines fair on Carlisle wall,)
Pray for their souls who died for love,
For Love shall still be lord of all!

About Sir Walter Scott

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, poet and historian, whose literary works and adventurous life are outlined in his biography on Wikipedia.

Portrait of Sir Walter Scott — Sir Walter Scott, painted by Sir William Allan
(Wikipedia)

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