The Betrothal

"The Betrothal" is the fifth and final song of Scott Wheeler's song cycle Wasting the Night, which sets the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Date: 1990Composer: Scott WheelerText: Edna St. Vincent MillaySong Collection: Wasting the Night

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Text

The Betrothal
by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Oh, come, my lad, or go, my lad,
And love me if you like.
I shall not hear the door shut
Nor the knocker strike.

Oh, bring me gifts or beg me gifts,
And wed me if you will.
I’d make a man a good wife,
Sensible and still.

And why should I be cold, my lad,
And why should you repine,
Because I love a dark head
That never will be mine?

I might as well be easing you
As lie alone in bed
And waste the night in wanting
A cruel dark head.

You might as well be calling yours
What never will be his,
And one of us be happy.
There’s few enough as is.

Sheet Music

Wasting the Night

Composer(s): Scott Wheeler

Song(s): 1. Thursday 2. Recuerdo 3. I shall forget you 4. Time does not bring relief 5. The Betrothal

Voice Type: Soprano

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