Ralph Vaughan Williams

from Songs of Travel-THE VAGABONDMedium High VoiceComposer: Ralph Vaughan WilliamsWords by Robert Louis Stevenson. For voice and piano in C minor.8 pages

A cycle of six sonnets for Voice and Piano with words by Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Silent Noon arranged in the key of G for voice and piano. Sonnet by Dante Gabriel Rossetti music by Vaughan Williams.

Collected (and set with a Piano accompaniment) by Ralph Vaughan Williams from the collection Folk Songs from the Eastern Counties.  For solo voice with Piano accompaniment.First sung to R. Vaughan Williams by James 'Duggie' Carter a King's Lynn fisherman  the song tells the story of the death of a young boy aboard a ship. According to comments from RVW himself 'The ballad was probably called forth by a particularly brutal case of ill treatment similiar to that narrated in it which occurred some twenty or thirty years ago'.Lyrics:One day a poor boy to me was bound apprentice Because of his beingfatherless;I took him out of St.James’ workhouse His mother being in deep distress.One day this poor boy unto me offended But nothing to him I did say Up to the mainmast shroud I sent him And there I kept him all that long day.All with my gasket I misused him So shamefully I can’t deny And by my barbarous cruel entreatment The very next day this poor boy died.You captains all throughout the nation Hear a voice and a warning take by me;Take special care of your apprenticeWhile you are on the raging sea.

From the collection 'Folk Songs from Sussex' (1912). Collected by W. Percy Merrick. For Solo Voice with Piano accompaniment and optional Violin obligato.