PROGRAMME NOTES

So We'll Go No More A-Roving

Song with piano (1971)

Text: Byron (1788-1824)

This song was written in March 1971 and became the main basis of my Organ Concerto. It uses a chord progression from bars 53-61 of Ravel’s Valses nobles et sentimentales. The song wasn’t performed on its own until 1985 when it was recorded by Meriel Dickinson and the composer for Rags, Blues and Parodies released on Conifer, then Albany TROY369 (2000). It was also used in Reminiscences for mezzo, alto sax and piano (1979) and is published in Songs in Blue (Novello 2000).

So we’ll go no more a-roving
So late into the night.
Though the heart be still as loving,
And the moon be still as bright.

For the sword outwears its sheath,
And the soul wears out the breast,
And the heart must pause to breathe,
And love itself  have rest.

Though the night was made for loving,
And the day returns too soon,
Yet we’ll go no more a-roving
By the light of the moon.



© 2008-25 Estate of Peter Dickinson

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