The Butterfly (Jacques Blumenthal)

Music files

L E G E N D

Disclaimer

How to download

ICON	SOURCE
	Pdf
	Mp3
	File details
	Help

• (Posted 2023-09-26)  CPDL #75744:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-09-26).   Score information: Letter, 16 pages, 799 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: The Butterfly
Composer: Jacques Blumenthal
Lyricist: Thomas Haynes Bayly
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB, SB divisi
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1872 Novello, Ewer, and Co.
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text

I’d be a Butterfly born in a bower,
    Where roses and lilies and violets meet;
Roving for ever from ,lower to ,lower,
    And kissing all buds that are pretty and sweet!
I’d never languish for wealth, or for power,
    I’d never sigh to see slaves at my feet:
I’d be a Butterfly born in a bower,
    Kissing all buds that are pretty and sweet.

O could I pilfer the wand of a fairy,
    I’d have a pair of those beautiful wings;
Their summer days’ ramble is sportive and airy,
    They sleep in a rose when the nightingale sings.
Those who have wealth must be watchful and wary;
    Power, alas! naught but misery brings!
I’d be a Butterfly, sportive and airy,
    Rocked in a rose when the nightingale sings!