The sun, his gladsome beam withdrawn - Oswald, James

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"Titled ''Absence''. Written for performance at Ranelagh pleasure gardens and sung by Catherine (Kitty) Fourmantel."

⌛ Period → Baroque ◈ Genre → Arias ♬ Voicing → solo high ¶ Language → English

Parts 1

Instruments Basso continuo, Violin

Pages 2

CPDL # 75337

Editor Christopher Shaw

Posted 2023-09-12

License Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike

¶Lyrics / Text

The sun, his gladsome beams withdrawn, The hills all white with snow, Leave me dejected and forlorn; Who can describe my woe? But not the sun's warm beams could cheer, Nor hills, tho' e'er so green, Unless my Damon should appear To beautify the scene. The frozen brooks and pathless vales Disjoin my love and me; The pining bird his fate bewails On yonder leafless tree. But what to me is birds or brooks, Or any joy that's near? How sad the lute and dull the books While Damon is not here! Each moment, from my dear away, Is a long age of pain; Fly swift, ye arms, be calm the day That brings my love again. O haste, and bring him to my arms, Nor let us ever part; My breast shall beat no more alarms, When I secure his heart.