A Song for the Slavic People (Paul Greenewich)
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(Posted 2026-03-22) CPDL #88745:
- Editor: Paul Greenewich (submitted 2026-03-22). Score information: A4, 5 pages, 122 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: A Song for the Slavic People
Composer: Paul Greenewich
Lyricist: Christina Rossetti
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 2026
Description: The poem In The Lane dates from 3rd May 1856. However, it was not published until 1896, two years after Christina's death, when it was included in an anthology of previously unpublished or uncollected poems that was edited by her brother, William.
There is Slavic blood in me and, inexplicably, when I felt moved to set this poem to music, what came to me sounded very Slavic to my ear. I immediately felt that this composition was meant to be a A Song for the Slavic People. All Slavic people.
It is therefore meant to be sung as a way of honouring, celebrating and proclaiming the separate nationhood of each of the Slavic races: its identity, heritage, language and culture, and of recognising that each of these nations contributes uniquely and indispensably to all that it means to be Slavic: the Slavic Soul.
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
When my love came home to me
Pleasant Summer bringing
Every tree was out in leaf
Every bird was singing
Every red rose burst the bud
On its bramble springing.
There I met her in the lane
By those waters gleamy,
Met her toward the fall of day
Warm and dear and dreamy;
Did I loiter in the lane?
None was there to see me.
Only roses in the hedge
Lilies on the river,
Saw our greeting fast and fond,
Counted gift and giver,
Saw me take her to my home
Take her home for ever.