Always and Everywhere

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”Always and Everywhere” is a song by the English composer Edward Elgar with words translated by Frank H. Fortey from the Polish of Krasinski. It was composed and published in 1901.

The translation is kindly described as "amateur". The repeated ”Always and Everywhere” would have reminded the composer that the initials were those of his wife (Alice) and himself.^[1]

[edit] Lyrics

O say not, when my earthly days are o’er,

That I have only caused thee sorrows sore ;

For I have wrecked my own life, even more,

Always and Everywhere.

O say not, when on earth I no more dwell,

That I have numbed thy young heart’s joyous swell ;

I, too, have quaffed the Poison-Cup of Hell,

Always and Everywhere.

But say, when soft the grasses o’er me wave,

That God is kind to hide me in the grave ;

For both my life and thine I did enslave,

Always and Everywhere.

But say, O say ! when my last hours depart,

That my poor life was one long frenzied smart ;

For I have loved thee, though with bitter heart,

Always and Everywhere.

[edit] Recordings

"The Unknown Elgar" includes "Always and Everywhere" performed by Teresa Cahill (soprano), with Barry Collett (piano).

[edit] References

• Kennedy, Michael, Portrait of Elgar (Oxford University Press, 1968) ISBN 0193154145
• Moore, Jerrold N. “Edward Elgar: a creative life” (Oxford University Press, 1984) ISBN 0193154471