The Shepherd's Song

”The Shepherd’s Song” is a song written by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1892 as his Op.16, No.1. The words are by Barry Pain.

The song was first published in 1895. It was re-published in 1907 as one of the Seven Lieder of Edward Elgar (with English and German words).

[edit] Lyrics

Down the dusty road together

Homeward pass the hurrying sheep,

Stupid with the summer weather,

Too much grass and too much sleep,

I, their shepherd, sing to thee

That summer is a joy to me.

Down the shore rolled waves all creamy

With the flecked surf yesternight ;

I swam far out in starlight dreamy,

In moving waters cool and bright,

I, the shepherd, sing to thee :

I love the strong life of the sea.

And upon the hillside growing

Where the fat sheep dozed in shade,

Bright red poppies I found blowing,

Drowsy, tall and loosely made,

I, the shepherd, sing to thee

How fair the bright red poppies be.

To the red-tiled homestead bending

Winds the road, so white and long

Day and work are near their ending

Sleep and dreams will end my song,

I, the shepherd, sing to thee ;

In the dreamtime answer me.

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