The Time I've Lost in Wooing, Thomas Moore

[bright-ephemera.livejournal.com]

The time I've lost in wooing,
In watching and pursuing
The light, that lies
In woman's eyes,
Has been my heart's undoing.
Though Wisdom oft has sought me,
I scorn'd the lore she brought me,
My only books
Were woman's looks,
And folly's all they've taught me.

Her smile when Beauty granted,
I hung with gaze enchanted,
Like him, the sprite,
Whom maids by night
Oft meet in glen that's haunted.
Like him, too, Beauty won me,
But while her eyes were on me,
If once their ray
Was turn'd away
Oh! winds could not outrun me.

And are these follies going?
And is my proud heart growing
Too cold or wise
For brilliant eyes
Again to set it glowing?
No, vain, alas! th' endeavour
From bonds so sweet to sever;
Poor Wisdom's chance
Against a glance
Is now as weak as ever.

(This was transcribed by hand; please let me know if you spot a typo!)

Comments

[bennybunny.livejournal.com]

Love this, thanks for posting it, I like the pacing of it very much.

[haggispatrol.livejournal.com]

It's a song; the pacing of it is due to the timing of the music. Lovely tune, too, I must say.

[bright-ephemera.livejournal.com]

I had no idea this was a song! I'm just inordinately fond of fluffy poems with a strong beat.

After some Googling, here: it's less than optimal, but I found the lyrics alongside a .midi file for the tune. http://www.contemplator.com/ireland/wooing.html

And the sheet music should one wish to pick out the melody oneself:
http://www.freesheetmusic.net/oneills6/PeasUponATrencher.pdf

[bennybunny.livejournal.com]

I had no idea it was a song either. And thank you for the link! :) x

[bennybunny.livejournal.com]

That's pretty darn jaunty, isn't it. Nice.

[haggispatrol.livejournal.com]

I rather like Tom Moore myself, so I see nothing wrong with your taste! *grin* He appeals to my mile-wide (and typically Scottish) sentimental streak, and he certainly knows how to handle rhythms.

I used to be a professional fiddler playing Scottish and Irish music, so I've backed more than one singer as they performed his songs. This one is especially nice on harp, though.

[elenbarathi.livejournal.com]

I love this; thanks!