This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Erin! the tear and the smile
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs, Folk songs
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Erin! the tear and the smile — Lyrics
Erin! the tear and the smile in thine eyes
Blend like the rainbow that hangs in thy skies,
Shining through sorrow’s stream,
Saddening through pleasure’s beam,
Thy suns with doubtful gleam,
Weep while they rise.
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About Erin! the tear and the smile
This setting of a well-known English text, traditionally associated with Ireland, is for SATB choir. The words express a poignant contrast between sorrow and joy, using the metaphor of a rainbow to describe the complex emotional landscape. The composer captures the essence of the text, with the music reflecting the blend of tears and smiles, the hope for eventual peace, and the union of conflicting emotions into a single arch. It is a secular part-song, exploring the human condition through evocative imagery and lyrical expression.
