About
“Long Time Ago” is a setting of a lyrical nostalgic ballad discovered by the composer in the Harris Collection at Brown University.
–Vivian Perlis, 1998, from Boosey & Hawkes Web site
Text
Long Time Ago
Traditional
On the lake where droop’d the willow
Long time ago,
Where the rock threw back the billow
Brighter than snow.
Dwelt a maid beloved and cherish’d
By high and low,
But with autumn leaf she perished
Long time ago.
Rock and tree and flowing water
Long time ago,
Bird and bee and blossom taught her
Love’s spell to know.
While to my fond words she listen’d
Murmuring low,
Tenderly her blue eyes glisten’d
Long time ago.
