This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Ellen’s Song
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Ellen’s Song by Frederick St. John Lacy — Lyrics
Soldier, rest! thy warfare o’er,
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking;
Dream of battled fields no more,
Days of danger, nights of waking.
In our isle’s enchanted hall,
Hands unseen thy couch are strewing,
Fairy strains of music fall,
Every sense in slumber dewing.
Soldier, rest! thy warfare o’er,
Dream of fighting fields no more;
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,
Morn of toil, nor night of waking.
No rude sound shall reach thine ear,
Armour’s clang, or warsteed champing,
Trump nor pibroch summon here
Mustering clan or squadron tramping.
Yet the lark’s shrill fife may come
At the daybreak from the fallow,
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About Ellen’s Song
Frederick St. John Lacy’s Ellen’s Song offers a tranquil setting of a comforting text, perfect for a reflective moment. This SATB arrangement of the English part-song evokes a sense of peace for a weary soldier, suggesting a gentle transition from the harshness of conflict to a restful slumber. The music, set to these evocative words, would suit a concert programme seeking moments of repose and lyrical beauty. The composer paints a picture of a haven, where only the gentle sounds of nature, like the lark or the bittern, might disturb the profound quiet. It is a contemplative piece that would resonate well in a secular choral setting.
