All Benjamin Britten Lyrics (en) Total 84
Benjamin Britten - The False Knight upon the roadThe knight met the child in the road O where are you going to? Said the knight in the road I am going to my school Said the child as he stood He stood and he stood and
Benjamin Britten - LemadyOne midsummer's morn as I were a-walking The fields and the meadows were covered with green The birds a-sweetly singing so pleasant and so charming So early in the morning by the
Benjamin Britten - She's like the swallowShe's like the swallow that flies so high She's like the river that never runs dry She's like the sunshine on the lee shore I love my love and love is no more
Benjamin Britten - Dance SongThe unicorn’s hoofs! The unicorn’s hoofs! The duke’s sons throng, the duke’s sons throng Alas for the unicorn! Alas for the unicorn! Alas! The unicorn’s brow! The unicorn’s
Benjamin Britten - There was a monkeyThere was a monkey climb'd up a tree When he fell down, then down fell he There was a crow sat on a stone When he was gone, then there was none There was an old wife did eat
Benjamin Britten - Jazz-ManCrash and Clang! Bash and Bang! And up in the road the Jazz-Man sprang! The One-Man-Jazz-Band playing in the street Drums with his Elbows, Cymbals with his Feet Pipes with
Benjamin Britten - The useful ploughA country life is sweet In moderate cold and heat To walk in the air, how pleasant and fair In ev'ry field of wheat The fairest of flowers adorning the bowers And
Benjamin Britten - Fishing SongOh, the gallant fisher's life It is the best of any! ’Tis full of pleasure, void of strife And 'tis belov'd of many; Other joys. are but toys; Only this lawful
Benjamin Britten - I mun be married on SundayI mun be married on Sunday Whosoever shall come that way I mun be married a Sunday Roister Doister is my name A lusty brute I am the same I mun be married a Sunday
Benjamin Britten - A New Year CarolHere we bring new water from the well so clear For to worship God with, this happy New Year Sing levy dew, sing levy dew, the water and the wine; The seven bright gold wires and
Benjamin Britten - Ee-oh!The fox and his wife they had a great strife They never eat mustard in all their whole life; They eat their meat without fork or knife And lov'd to be picking a bone, ee-oh!
Benjamin Britten - The Old LuteOf cord and cassia-wood Is the lute compounded; Within it lie ancient melodies Ancient melodies weak and savourless Not appealing to present men’s taste Light and colour are
Benjamin Britten - The Big ChariotDon’t help -- on the big chariot; You will only make yourself dusty Don’t think about the sorrows of the world; You will only make yourself wretched Don’t help -- on the big
Benjamin Britten - A Tragic StoryThere liv'd a sage in days of yore And he a handsome pigtail wore But wonder'd much and sorrow'd more Because it hung behind him He mus'd upon this curious
Benjamin Britten - Begone, dull care!Egone, dull care! I prithee begone from me! Begone, dull care! you and I shall never agree Long time hast thou been tarrying here And fain thou woulds't me kill But, i'
Benjamin Britten - Billy Budd, king of the birds!Billy Budd, king of the birds! Billy Budd, king of the world! Up among the sea-hawks Up against the storm Looking down on the deck Looking down on the waves Working
Benjamin Britten - The Ballad of Green BroomThere was an old man lived out in the wood And his trade was a-cutting of broom, green broom He had but one son without thought without good Who lay in his bed till 't was noon,
Benjamin Britten - The Evening PrimroseWhen once the sun sinks in the west And dewdrops pearl the evening's breast; Almost as pale as moonbeams are Or its companionable star The evening primrose opes anew Its
Benjamin Britten - Marsh FlowersHere the strong mallow strikes her slimy root Here the dull night-shade hangs her deadly fruit; On hills of dust the henbane's faded green And pencill'd flower of sickly
Benjamin Britten - To DaffodilsFair Daffodils, we weep to see You haste away so soon; As yet the early-rising sun Has not attain'd his noon Stay, stay Until the hasting day Has run But to the
Benjamin Britten - A CharmQuiet! Sleep! or I will make Erinnys whip thee with a snake And cruel Rhadamanthus take Thy body to the boiling lake Where fire and brimstones never slake; Thy heart
Benjamin Britten - Sephestia's LullabyWeep not, my wanton, smile upon my knee; When thou art old there 's grief enough for thee Mother's wag, pretty boy Father's sorrow, father's joy; When thy father
Benjamin Britten - The Highland BalouHee balou, my sweet wee Donald Picture o' the great Clanronald; Brawlie kens our wanton Chief Wha gat my young Highland thief Leeze me on thy bonie craigie An'
Benjamin Britten - A Highland BalouHee balou, my sweet wee Donald Picture o' the great Clanronald; Brawlie kens our wanton Chief Wha gat my young Highland thief Leeze me on thy bonie craigie An'
Benjamin Britten - The Nurse's SongLullaby baby Lullaby baby Thy nurse will tend thee as duly as may be Lullaby baby! Be still, my sweett sweeting, no longer do cry; Sing lullaby baby, lullaby baby
Benjamin Britten - The Miller of DeeThere was a jolly miller once lived on the river Dee; He worked and sung from morn till night, no lark more blithe than he And this the burden of his song for ever used to be: "I
Benjamin Britten - Sweet Polly OliverAs sweet Polly Oliver lay musing in bed A sudden strange fancy came into her head "Nor father nor mother shall make me false prove I'll 'list as a soldier, and follow my
Benjamin Britten - O Waly WalyThe water is wide, I cannot cross o'er And neither have I wings to fly Give me a boat and carry two And both shall row My love and I O, down in the meadows the
Benjamin Britten - Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27Like a black swan as death came on Poured forth her song in perfect calm: And by ocean's margin this innocent virgin Constructed an organ to enlarge her prayer And notes
Benjamin Britten - But That Night When on My Bed I LayBut that night When on my bed I lay, I was most mov'd And felt most deeply in what world I was; With unextinguish'd taper I kept watch Reading at intervals; the fear gone
Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten, born in 1913 in Suffolk, England, was a renowned composer of the 20th century, particularly known for his operas. He began his musical education at an early age and went on to study at the prestigious Royal College of Music. It was during his time at the college that he fell into the circle of poet W.H. Auden, who would become a significant influence on his work.
Although Britten left Auden's circle after a few years, he met the tenor Peter Pears, who would not only become his greatest musical interpreter but also his personal partner until Britten's death. The two collaborated on many projects together, with Pears often performing in Britten's operas and other compositions.
During World War II, Britten spent some time in America, where he continued to compose and gain recognition for his work. However, it was in 1945 that he truly leapt to prominence with the premiere of his opera Peter Grimes, which was met with critical acclaim.
Throughout his career, Britten continued to compose operas, including Albert Herring, Billy Budd, The Turn of the Screw, and Death in Venice, all of which solidified his reputation as one of the greatest opera composers of his time. In addition to his operatic works, Britten also wrote music for other venues, with notable successes including the Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings; the Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge; the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra; and the War Requiem.
In recognition of his contributions to music, Britten was awarded a life peerage by the British crown shortly before his death in 1976. His legacy continues to live on through his timeless compositions, which are still performed and celebrated by musicians and audiences around the world.
Although Britten left Auden's circle after a few years, he met the tenor Peter Pears, who would not only become his greatest musical interpreter but also his personal partner until Britten's death. The two collaborated on many projects together, with Pears often performing in Britten's operas and other compositions.
During World War II, Britten spent some time in America, where he continued to compose and gain recognition for his work. However, it was in 1945 that he truly leapt to prominence with the premiere of his opera Peter Grimes, which was met with critical acclaim.
Throughout his career, Britten continued to compose operas, including Albert Herring, Billy Budd, The Turn of the Screw, and Death in Venice, all of which solidified his reputation as one of the greatest opera composers of his time. In addition to his operatic works, Britten also wrote music for other venues, with notable successes including the Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings; the Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge; the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra; and the War Requiem.
In recognition of his contributions to music, Britten was awarded a life peerage by the British crown shortly before his death in 1976. His legacy continues to live on through his timeless compositions, which are still performed and celebrated by musicians and audiences around the world.