The Language of Flowers
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"The Language of Flowers" is a song with both words and music written by the English composer Edward Elgar and dated 29-5-1872, when he was only fourteen years old.[1] It is unpublished.
It is inscribed "by Edward W. Elgar" and "words by Percival" and dedicated to Elgar's sister Lucy. It is possible that Elgar's mother (herself a poet) helped him with the words, and likely that he was influenced in its composition by the songs that he found in his father's music shop.
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[edit] Lyrics
- In Eastern lands they talk in flow'rs
- And they tell in a garland their loves and cares;
- Each blossom that blooms in their garden bowr's,
- On its leaves a mystic language bears.
- The rose is a sign of joy and love,
- Young blushing love in its earliest dawn,
- And the mildness that suits the gentle dove,
- From the myrtle's snowy flow'rs is drawn.
- Innocence gleams in the lily's bell,
- Pure as the heart in its native heaven.
- Fame's bright star and glory's swell
- By the glossy leaf of the bay are given.
- The silent, soft and humble heart,
- In the violet's hidden sweetness breathes,
- And the tender soul that cannot part,
- In a twine of evergreen fondly wreathes.
- The cypress that daily shades the grave,
- Is sorrow that moans her bitter lot,
- And faith that a thousand ills can brave,
- Speaks in thy blue leaves "forget-me-not".
- Then gather a wreath from the garden bowers,
- And tell the wish of thy heart in flowers.
[edit] Recordings
"The Unknown Elgar" includes "The Language of Flowers" performed by Teresa Cahill (soprano), with Barry Collett (piano).
[edit] References
- Percy M. Young, Elgar O.M. (Collins, 1955)
- Michael Kennedy, Portrait of Elgar (Oxford University Press, 1968) ISBN 0193154145
[edit] Notes
- ^ Percy M. Young Elgar O.M. pp. 263-264 and an example
