From Chorister Alan: A while ago I typed out our lyrics as a learning exercise and to give to Barbara and friends who come to the concert. Since the words printed in the program aren’t quite what we sing, I’ll print them for my people I spoke with Mark and he agreed it might be good to email our words to everyone. Here they are.
Alan
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Springtime in Funen (Fynsk Forar)
English lyrics
1. Chorus
Like a patch of green as snows disappear,
Like a broad lily leaf lying on the mere,
Funen awakens and Spring is here!
Now blossoms the old wizened apple-tree
On hills that are round as a maiden’s knee
And spreads forth its flowers for all to see, for all to see.
In gardens where snowflakes once did lie
Are trellises stretching towards the sky.
The hops will be growing both straight and high.
And village folk say that the days are fine
From morning to dusk now the sun will shine.
And they shiver, and they shiver, and they shiver
To think of their fireside suppertime.
2. Soprano solo
Oh see, the spring is coming, The garden is a-humming,
And now the air is thin and clear, so take your cap off father dear.
So many thoughts come into my heart, I hardly dare my feelings impart.
And pussy cat is prowling, no longer stays in growling,
While winter winds were awful she stayed with Mother’s ball of wool
And Grandpa sitting by the door was pondering the Bible lore.
See, the spring is coming. Oh hear, the garden humming
The kitchen is no place to be when hearts are full and souls are free.
What is this sudden burning? What is this strange, this strange and sudden yearning?
3. Tenor solo and tenors
The tender day is light and long and full of sun and blackbirds’ song
And yet I wish, I wish, I wish the neighbor’s daughter Isobel
Who long has held my heart in spell would kiss my cheek–
I would not tell – my darling Isobel.
She’d offer me her little hand, in sweet contentment we would stand,
She’d lower eyes and give to me her lips so willingly,
Ah yes! The days are light and long and full of sun and blackbirds’ song
But Isolbel my darling dear, she loves me not, I fear.
Behind the hedge I see her there. Is it for me, her smile so fair?
She carries milk, she feeds the cat, it’s her she’s smiling at!
Oh see, she smiles! She smiles and now, my Isobel, I know not how
My heart can bear this gentle pain. Such beauty! Such disdain.
4. The Old Bachelors.
The sun once again now his warmth does send,
Come into the farmyard you welcome friend.
You come with the dust, you come with the breeze,
You breathe on the buds and they turn into leaves.
No longer you come after shower and squall,
My heart now is peaceful whate’er may befall.
My heart was a cold and deserted place
Till springtime arrived with its smiling face. (Repeat)
The maidens are dancing now arm in arm
And one of them’s hot and the other is warm.
They give one another a playful slap
The others have often to give them a rap.
Have often to give them a rap.
I light up my pipe in the twilight haze,
The sun has gone down in the western blaze.
I peer at the moon o’er the rim of my glass,
For wine and the pipe make the time soon pass.
5. The Blind Musician
Today my eyelids can feel the sun, and scorching weather has now begun.
I smell the dampness of field and wood; there must be flowers and colors good.
I go my way with a wary foot. I must not stumble on stone or root.
I hear the noises from far and near; a cow who lows in the pasture here.
I always carry my clarinet. In times of grief it consoles me yet;
Behind its cold metal keys are found so many tunes and such magic sound.
And children follow me everywhere. Their warm soft cheeks and their silken hair,
They reach for my hand with a gentle touch, the very spirit of springtime is such.
6. Boys and Girls
Now is the time for playing with our new spinning top,
Its twists and turns displaying, for we can make it hop.
And we will gather flowers and make such fine bouquets
And dance away the hours, these bright and sun-filled days.
Hey, Hans, If you will play now, you’ll get yourself a treat.
I say now. I say now. Now, now, now I’ve got us two bits of cake to eat.
Yeah, hans. If you will play now and girlish games enjoy, and curtsey low,
Well hey now, that makes you a big … soft … Mommy’s boy!
Now is the time for playing, and we will have a treat,
And we will gather flowers, and we’ll have cake to eat.
Now is the time for playing. Now is the time for playing.
7. The Old Folks
We hang up our pipes by the fireside and number our blessings at eventide,
For springtime is here, no more frosts and rains.
It helps us forget all our aches and pains.
We take our companions by the hand. Our fingers are crooked but still we
Stand together, as always, through wind and sun. It comforts us each and every one.
But when we have wandered a little way, we long to go home at the end of day,
For old folks have seen much adversity and now long to rest in Eternity.
8. Dance Song
Come here! Come here! Come play your clarinet!
Our winter hearts are longing, come here and play a dance.
We’ll make the island tremble yet where happy folk are thronging.
Come here and lay your clarinet. Come here and play your clarinet!
We’ll make the island tremble yet where happy folk are thronging.
Tra la la-la la-la la-la, tra la la-la la-la la-la
Now take your partner by the hand and join us in our dancing. Tra-la la-la etc.
Come on for Spring is in the land, its spell is quite entrancing.
Come here and play your clarinet. Tra-la la-la etc.
Come here! Come here! Come here!
And if no partner you have found, take Sophie from the bench.
She may be just a wee bit round but she’s a jolly wench.
For dancing is the highest bliss; our coats we now unbutton.
And now my sweet I want a kiss – for kissing I’m a glutton.
We dance all through the springtime day and drive the winter far away
Come here! Come here! Come here! Come here! Come here!
Come play your clarinet!
9. See, apple blossoms falling on the pathway.
See, see, see apple blossoms falling on the pathway.
(The night belongs to us. Apple blossoms falling.)
10. Dance reprise
Come here! Come here! Come play your clarinet.
Our winter hearts are longing, come here and play a dance.
We’ll make the island tremble yet where happy folk are thronging.
Now take your partner by the hand, come on for spring is in the land,
For dancing is the highest bliss. Our coats we now unbutton.
We dance all through the springtime day and drive the winter far away.
Come here! Come here! Come play your clarinet! Come play your clarinet!
We’ll make the island tremble yet where happy folk are thronging.
Come here! Come play your clarinet! Come play your clarinet!