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The Echo Elf Answers

A Song for Mezzo-Soprano and Guitar

Line-up, style and pricing information

Line-up

Mezzo-soprano, guitar

Type

Secular

Duration

3'00 minutes

Price

$3.60

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A darkly sweet art song for mezzo-soprano and guitar, setting the Thomas Hardy poem, and appealing to my folklore-loving self! It has a looping guitar ending inspired by the likes of Bert Jansch or Davy Graham.

The Echo Elf Answers

How much shall I love her?

For life, or not long?

“Not long.”

 

Alas! When forget her?

In years, or by June?

“By June.”

 

And whom woo I after?

No one, or a throng?

“A throng.”

 

Of these shall I wed one

Long hence, or quite soon?

“Quite soon.”

 

And which will my bride be?

The right or the wrong?

“The wrong.”

And my remedy – what kind?

Wealth-wove, or earth-hewn?

“Earth-hewn.”

Thomas Hardy

The Echo Elf Answers was commissioned by Arthur Keegan-Bole
and written for Lotte Betts-Dean and James Girling. It was premiered at Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton on May 27th, 2022, and has been recorded as part of 'Hardy Songs' (Delphian Records, 2024)

Further information

Publisher

Self--published

Year

2022

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