Once I was young (Arthur Somervell)

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(Posted 2023-12-11) CPDL #78047:

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-12-11). Score information: Letter, 4 pages, 316 kB Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Once I was young
Composer: Arthur Somervell
Lyricist: Traditional
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong, Folksong

Languages: English, Manx
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1912 Boosey & Co.
Description: Manx folksong

External websites:

Original text and translations

English text

Once I was young; now westward goes the sun;
Once I two sweethearts had, but now I have none.
Ah! how by woman’s wiles the laddies are undone.

Good love there is, and love that is not true
I loved a lassie and I faithfully did woo.
Ah, how the laddies are by woman made to rue.

O faithless fair one, my night is drawing nigh;
Look at my trembling hand, and listen to my sigh—
Ah, how thro’ woman false the laddies pine and die.

Manx text

Keayrt va mee aeg; as nish ta mee shenn;
Keayrt va daa “sweetheart” aym, agh nish cha vel rame,
Kys ta ny guillyn aegey surranse liorish mraane.

Son ta graih mie ayr, agn ta frast graith sie.
Keayrt hug me graih da ben aig as ve graih rouyr vie.
Kys ta ny guillyn aegey surranse liorish mraane.

Son ben aeg waagh yio yms baase, yio yms baase;
Jeeagh er my lane, kys te craa, kys te craa,
Kys ta ny guillyn aegey surranse liorish mraane.