Song of Snow-White Heads

"Song of Snow-White Heads" is the tenth song of Ernst Bacon's song cycle Quiet Airs. The song sets an English translation the poetry of Cho Wēn-chün, translated by Arthur Waley.

Date: 1952Composer: Ernst BaconSong Collection: Quiet Airs

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Text

Song of Snow-White Heads
by Cho Wēn-chün
Translated by Arthur Waley

(A Chinese wife to her lord)

Our love was pure
As the snow on the mountains:
White as a moon
Between the clouds –
They’re telling me
Your thoughts are double:
That’s why I’ve come
To break it off.
To-day we’ll drink
A cup of wine.
to-morrow we’ll part
Beside the Canal:
Walking about,
Beside the Canal,
Where its branches divide
East and West.
Alas and alas,
and again alas.
So must a girl
Cry when she’s married,
if she find not a man
Of single heart,
who will not heave her
Till her hair is white.

Sheet Music

Quiet Airs

Composer(s): Ernst Bacon

Song(s): 1. Twilight
2. Gentle Greeting
3. The Divine Ship
4. Of Love
5. Eden
6. The Little Stone
7. Fond Affection
8. Stars
9. The Heart
10. Song of Snow-White Heads
11. The Lamb
12. To Musique, To Becalme His Fever

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