Songs

O swiftly glides the bonny boat

by Ludwig van Beethoven From 25 Schottische Lieder Op.108

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Text

O swiftly glides the bonny boat
English source: Joanna Baillie

O swiftly glides the bonny boat
Just parted from the shore,
And to the fisher's chorus note
Soft moves the dipping oar.
His toils are borne with happy cheer
And ever may they speed,
That feeble age and helpmate dear
And tender bairnies feed.

Refrain:
We cast our lines in Largo Bay,
Our nets are floating wide,
Our bonny boat with yielding sway
Rocks lightly in the tide.
Amd happy prove our daily lot
Upon the summer sea,
And blest on land our kindly Cot
Where all our treasures be.

The mermaid on her rock may sing,
The witch may weave her charm,
Nor watersprite nor eldritch thing
The bonny boat can harm.
It safely bears its scaly store
Thro many a storm gale,
While joyful shouts rise from the shore,
Its homeward prow to hail.

Composer

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the classical and romantic eras in classical music, he remains one of the most recognized and influential…

Poet

Joanna Baillie

Joanna Baillie was a Scottish poet and dramatist.

Performances

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