1947

Over the Hills

Composed by Irene Britton Smith

Dream Cycle Song Collection

"Over the Hills" is the first song of Irene Britton Smith's Dream Cycle, which sets the text of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. In "Over the Hills", Britton Smith changes some of Dunbar's words to fit the mood she creates.

Text

“Over the Hill”
Text by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Over the hills and the valleys of dreaming
Slowly I take my way.
Life is the night with its dream–visions teeming,
Death is the waking at day.

Down thro’ the dales and the bowers of loving,
Singing, I roam afar.
Daytime or night–time, I constantly roving,—
Dearest one, thou art my star.