Songs
Elinora’s letter [some salt-water damage to the text] 1516
by Cheryl Frances-Hoad From Six Songs of Melmoth (2020)
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Text
Elinora’s letter [some salt-water damage to the text] 1516
English source:
Sophie Rashbrook
Sweetest love,
as I gaze out to sea,
I have such news, such news -
A storm is coming
The waves grow tall
But soon I will tell you all -
Last night I saw a woman in the shadows –
She sang: _Will you take my hand?_
Her eyes were like lanterns
When I get off this wretched boat
I will kiss the earth –
and then I will kiss you -
My love, the stranger came again
She sang _Will you come?_
The waves are soaring like towers
Last night she asked: _Will you consent?_
I have not consented
But the storm is too great
And oh, I had such news, such news
Yours, forever,
Elinora
as I gaze out to sea,
I have such news, such news -
A storm is coming
The waves grow tall
But soon I will tell you all -
Last night I saw a woman in the shadows –
She sang: _Will you take my hand?_
Her eyes were like lanterns
When I get off this wretched boat
I will kiss the earth –
and then I will kiss you -
My love, the stranger came again
She sang _Will you come?_
The waves are soaring like towers
Last night she asked: _Will you consent?_
I have not consented
But the storm is too great
And oh, I had such news, such news
Yours, forever,
Elinora
Composer
Cheryl Frances-Hoad
Cheryl's music has been described as “like a declaration of faith in the eternal verities of composition” (The Times), with “a voice overflowing not only with ideas, but also with the discipline and artistry necessary to harness them” (The…
Poet
Sophie Rashbrook
Sophie Rashbrook is a writer, librettist and opera dramaturg. https://sophierashbrook.com/.