1900

Ah, Love, but a day! (op. 44, no. 2)

Three Browning Songs, Op. 44 Song Collection

"Ah, Love, But a Day" is the second song in Beach's Three Browning Songs, op. 44. This song is one of her more chromatic songs and has been compared to the songs of Brahms.

Text

Ah, Love, But a Day

Ah, Love, but a day,
And the world has changed!
The sun’s away,
And the bird estranged;
The wind has dropped,
And the sky’s deranged;
Summer has stopped.

Look in my eyes!
Wilt thou change too?
Should I fear surprise?
Shall I find aught new
In the old and dear,
In the good and true,
With the changing year?

Thou art a man,
But I am thy love.
For the lake, its swan;
For the dell, its dove;
And for thee — (oh, haste!)
Me, to bend above,
Me, to hold embraced.

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