Through the Long Days

”Through the Long Days” is a song written by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1885 as his Op.16, No.2. The words are by the American writer and statesman Col. John Hay.

The song was composed when Elgar was on holiday at the home of his friend Dr. Charles Buck at Settle between August 10th - 31st 1885. It was in memory of a mutual friend, Jack Baguley, who had just died. [Young, "Letters of Edward Elgar", p.6]

It was first published by Stanley Lucas Weber in 1887, dedicated to the Rev. E. Vine Hall, [The Rev. E. Vine Hall was Minor Canon at Worcester Cathedral, active in musical life in Worcester, and known to have conducted some of Elgar's works in 1888] then published by Ascherberg in 1890.

Its first performance was by Charles Phillips at St. James's Hall on 25th February 1897.

The song was re-published in 1907 as one of the "Seven Lieder of Edward Elgar", with English and German words.

Lyrics

"German words by Ed. Sachs"

*Elgar expanded the original poem, which had just the first three lines of each verse.

Recordings

* [http://www.emusic.com/album/The-Works-Songs-Piano-Music-By-Edward-Elgar-MP3-Download/11044195.html Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar] has "Through the Long Days" performed by Mark Wilde (tenor), with David Owen Norris (piano).

* [http://www.mvdaily.com/articles/2000/02/somm220.htm The Songs of Edward Elgar SOMM CD 220] Neil Mackie (tenor) with Malcolm Martineau (piano), at Southlands College, London, April 1999

References

*Banfield, Stephen, "Sensibility and English Song: Critical studies of the early 20th century" (Cambridge University Press, 1985) ISBN 052137944X

*Kennedy, Michael, "Portrait of Elgar" (Oxford University Press, 1968) ISBN 0193154145

*Moore, Jerrold N. “Edward Elgar: a creative life” (Oxford University Press, 1984) ISBN 0193154471

*cite book | last=Young | first=Percy M. | coauthors= | title=Letters of Edward Elgar and other writings | location=London | publisher=Geoffrey Bles | year=1956 | isbn=

Notes