The Water King - Callcott, John Wall

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"Callcott only set 10 of the 20 stanzas of Lewis' poem to music. This leaves a few obvious gaps in the "story". He may possibly have intended that some of the other stanzas be sung by way of repeats."

⌛ Period → Classical ◈ Genre / Form → Glees

♯ Key E- major

⁄ Time Signature 2/4

♬ Voicing → SSB,TTB

◆ Difficulty

Intermediate

↕ Range G2 – G5

♩ Tempo vivace (160)

◷ Duration ~4 min 57 sec

¶ Language → English

Measures 202

Texture mixed texture

Parts 5

Instruments a cappella| (:Category:Keyboard reduction was added by William Horsley)

Pages 11

CPDL # 17095

Editor Jonathan Goodliffe

Posted 2008-06-06

License CPDL License

♫Pitch Ranges

Treble

C4 – G5

Bass

G2 – C4

Piano

G2 – C4

¶Lyrics / Text

'''THE WATER-KING''' A DANISH BALLAD By Matthew Lewis (1775-1818) a poem within his gothic novel "The Monk" [With gentle murmur flowed the Tide, While by the fragrant flowery side The lovely Maid with carols gay To Mary's Church pursued her way. The Water-Fiend's malignant eye Along the Banks beheld her hie; Straight to his Mother-witch He sped, And thus in suppliant accents said:] ''''Oh! Mother! Mother! now advise, How I may yonder Maid surprize: Oh! Mother! Mother! Now explain, How I may yonder Maid obtain.' The Witch She gave him armour white; She formed him like a gallant Knight; Of water clear next made her hand A Steed, whose housings were of sand. The Water-King then swift He went; To Mary's Church his steps He bent: He bound his Courser to the Door, And paced the Church-yard three times four.''' [His Courser to the door bound He, And paced the Church-yard four time three: Then hastened up the Aisle, where all The People flocked, both great and small.] '''The Priest said, as the Knight drew near, 'And wherefore comes the white Chief here?' The lovely Maid She smiled aside; 'Oh! would I were the white Chief's Bride!'''' [He stept o'er Benches one and two; 'Oh! lovely Maid, I die for You!' He stept o'er Benches two and three; 'Oh! lovely Maiden, go with me!' Then sweet She smiled, the lovely Maid, And while She gave her hand, She said, 'Betide me joy, betide me woe, O'er Hill, o'er dale, with thee I go.' The Priest their hands together joins: They dance, while clear the moon-beam shines; And little thinks the Maiden bright, Her Partner is the Water-spright.] '''Oh! had some spirit deigned to sing, 'Your Partner is the Water-King!' The Maid had fear and hate confest, And cursed the hand which then She prest. But nothing giving cause to think, How near She strayed to danger's brink, Still on She went, and hand in hand The Lovers reached the yellow sand. 'Ascend this Steed with me, my Dear; We needs must cross the streamlet here; Ride boldly in; It

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