The Birthday (George Alexander Osborne)
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- Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-11-22). Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 418 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: The Birthday
Composer: George Alexander Osborne
Lyricist: Robert West Taylor
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1862 Chappell & Co.
Description: Six Four-part Songs, No. 5
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Of a maiden now we sing, gentle and fair,
With radiant smile devoid of guile, and modest air.
On this her natal day,
We join to wish her well,
But what her name is,
We must not, and we will not tell.
Few are her years, but those improved by tender care,
Give her the grace it should be woman’s lot to wear.
Happy the loving home,
In which she’s born to dwell,
But what her name is,
We must not, and we will not tell.
Time may steal over each grateful parent’s head,
Yet do they not decline, but live in her instead.
Then, let us join with them
And all to wish her well,
But what her name is,
We must not, and we will not tell.