Is she not passing fair?

"Is she not passing fair?" is a song written by the English composer Edward Elgar.

It was completed on 28 October 1886,[1] but not published until 1908, by Boosey & Co.

It is described as a "Lay, written by Charles, Duke of Orléans (1391-1466), translated [from the French] by Louisa Stuart Costello".

Lyrics

IS SHE NOT PASSING FAIR?

Is she not passing fair,
She whom I love so well ?
On earth, in sea, or air,
Where may her equal dwell ?
Oh! tell me, ye who dare
To brave her beauty's spell,
Is she not passing fair,
She whom I love so well ?


Whether she speak or sing,
Be jocund or serene,
Alike in ev'rything,
Is she not beauty's queen ?
Then let the world declare,
Let all who see her tell,
That she is passing fair,
She whom I love so well !

Recordings

References

Notes

  1. Percy Young: ‘’Elgar O.M.’’