thelightisahead | Adieu My Lov'd Harp, WoO 158/B - Ludwig van Beethoven @thelightisahead | Uploaded 15 years ago | Updated 1 hour ago
A wonderful folksong setting by Ludwig van Beethoven (as in he produced the harmony and instrumentation for the folk melody). I came across this gem whilst listening through the complete works (which I finished recently - in fact I'm onto the complete works of Mozart now, and it's going to take some time!)

This is listed in his 'British' folksong set, WoO 158/B, yet is an Irish song, and as Ireland is not a part of Britain, there appears to be some mistake!

Lyrics:

Adieu my lov'd harp, for no more shall
the vale,
Reecho thy notes as they float on the
gale;
No more melting pity shall sigh o'er thy
string;
Or love to thy tremblings so tenderly
sing.

When battles fell strife launch'd its
thunders afar,
And valours dark brow wore the
honours of war;
Twas thou breath'd the fame of the hero
around,
And young emulation was wak'd by the
sound.

Ye daughters of Erin soon comes the sad
day,
When over the turf where I sleep ye shall
say:
Oh! Still is the song we repaid with a
tear,
And silent the string that delighted the
ear.

Particularly love the 'when' that opens the second line of the last stanza.
This is also my first Beethoven video - enjoy!