Kathleen Ferrier (1912–1953) started singing professionally late; she was t… Read Full Bio ↴Kathleen Ferrier (1912–1953) started singing professionally late; she was thirty when she did her first performance as a soloist (in Händel’s ‘Messiah’). She only performed in two operas, Britten’s ‘The Rape of Lucretia’ (1946) and Gluck’s ‘Orfeo ed Eudridice’ (1947). Her rising star as a highly characteristic alto was cut short when she died at only 41; from breast cancer. Luckily, she managed to do many recordings in her too brief career, among the most treasured are Mahler’s ‘Das Lied von der Erde’ and ‘Kindertotenlieder’.

Art Thou Troubled?
Kathleen Ferrier Lyrics

We have lyrics for 'Art Thou Troubled?' by these artists:

Aled Jones - from the album "Aled" O, Lord my God, When I…

We have lyrics for these tracks by Kathleen Ferrier:

A soft day c soft day, thank God! c wind from the south With a…
An Meinem Herzen An Meiner Brust cn meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust, Du meine Wonne, du…
Blow the Wind Southerly Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly, Blow the wind…
Bridge: Go Not Happy Day Go not, happy day, From the shining fields, Go not, happy da…
Che Puro Ciel Che puro ciel! che chiaro sol! che nuova luce è questa mai! …
Come You Not from Newcastle Come you not from Newcastle? Come you not there away? Oh, me…

Down By The Salley Gardens Down by the Salley gardens my love and I did…
Drink To Me Only Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge…
Du Ring an Meinem Finger Du Ring an meinem Finger, Mein goldenes Ringelein, Ich drü…
Er Der Herrlichste Von Allen Er, der Herrlichste von allen, Wie so milde, wie so…
Go not happy day Go not, happy day, From the shining fields, Go not, happy da…
Have You Seen But A White Lilly Grow? Have you seen but a bright lily grow Before rude hands…
Helft Mir Ihr Schwestern Helft mir, ihr Schwestern, Freundlich mich schmücken, Die…
I Have a Bonnet Trimmed With Blue I have a bonnet trimmed with blue, Do you wear it?…
I Know Where I'm Goin' I know where I'm going cnd I know who's going with…
I Will Walk With My Love I once loved a boy just a bold Irish boy Who…
Ich Kann's Nicht Fassen Nicht Glauben Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht glauben, Es hat ein Traum…
Kitty My Love Kitty my love will you marry me? Kitty my love will…
Love is a Babel Love is a bable No man is able To say 'tis this…
Ma Bonny Lad Have ye seen owt o my bonnie lad, and are ye…
Messiah He was despised Despised and rejected Rejected of men c…
My Boy Willie Oh where have you been all the day My boy Willie? Oh…
Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white; Nor waves the…
Nun Hast Du Mir Den Ersten Schwerz Getan Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan, Der aber…
O Come Ye Not From Newcastle Come you not from Newcastle? Come you not there away? Oh, me…
O Waly Waly The water is wide, I cannot get o'er, cnd neither have…
Over The Mountains Over the mountains, And over the waves, Under the fountains …
Seit Ich Ihn Gesehen Seit ich ihn gesehen, Glaub ich blind zu sein; Wo…
Silent noon Your hands lie open in the long fresh grass, - The…
Suber Freund Du Blickest Mich Verwundert Süßer Freund, du blickest Mich verwundert an, Kannst es ni…
The Fair house Of Joy Fain would I change that note To which fond Love hath…
The Fairy Lough Lough-a-reem-a! Lough-a-reem-a; Lies so high among the heath…
The Keel Row cs I came thro' Sandgate, Thro' Sandgate, thro' Sandgate, cs…
The lover's curse This one and that one will court him, but e'er he…
The Stuttering Lovers c wee bit over the Lee, me lads c wee bit…
The Wind Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly Blow the wind …
Willow Willow The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree, Sing willow,…

Ye Banks and Braes Ye banks and braes o' bonnie Doon How can ye bloom…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

TRACKS

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Comments from YouTube:

@Sunflowers159

12y↑76

The greatest honour that anyone has ever paid to me was when I sang Que Faro at a music festival in the mid-1980s. A woman came up to me afterwards and said that she'd been at Kathleen Ferrier's last concert at Covent Garden and my voice reminded her of that performance. I had great difficulty stopping myself from crying when she said that.

@Katietoo

13y↑15

What a beautiful evocative song by Kathleen Ferrier and the equally beautiful comments the words have inspired. Peace and Love to all .....

@margaretboon9833

12y↑23

This is the greatest voice of the 20th century - without comparison

@ralphberney7768

10y↑46

Kathleen Ferrier reduces one to ashes, in a profound and positive sense, the listener consumed by admiration,reverence and inspiration, by the beauty and sincerity of a supreme voice of such tenderness, reach and power, with such richness, rubato, resonance, purity of tone, spirit and belief in what she sings-all so modestly.

@thecubanism

11y↑25

Klever Kaff lived not more than a 10 minute drive from my home, I visit her memorial garden regularly, she epitomises, far more than the Lennons or Mcartneys, the true spirit of music, real music, music which makes me, a council housed, ill-educated, kid who was fortunate enough to meet a mentor who taught me real music, When I hear 'What is Life' from Glucks Orpheo, I dissolve in tears

@patrickslattery5013

10y↑35

Two beautiful arias from a beautiful lady who has left us a wonderful legacy. She will have enriched heaven immensely.

@peteryasin4155

11y↑31

I knew Kathleen when I was 6 years old was greatly upset when she diedin 1953. Her voice is unique and raises the hairs on my neck.Her brother in law,many years later taught me to play the organ.

@bilstew

15y↑14

What a simply superb artist is the lovely Kathleen.I never tire of hearing her lovely voice and seeing her beautiful face. Without you Kathleen ALL our lives are diminished.

@barbarafee2482

9y↑49

I was brought up in a children's home in Harpenden. Unlike the hell that other kids went through elsewhere, we had Sister Ethel Smith. One of the most wonderful people I have ever know. She converted us all to Kathleen Ferrier. Strange but true, my 96 year old aunt sang in a backing choir for Kathleen Ferrier.

@anjodian251

16y↑19

No contralto comes close to Ferrier, before or since. Thank you for posting.

@fimerle

14y↑20

Sitting here with tears in my eyes. First heard Kathleen in 1952 and have yet to hear a more gifted contralto (and I have heard quite a few since then). Her voice is rich and warm and so moving particularly singing Handle and Gluck. Thank you for posting this entry

@kraaipoes

13y↑15

like I read a story from my own youth,and than continuing ,the story of me listening when my father was singing along with this heavenly music.You always wonders what is the secret of her pure and beautifull voice.God bless kathleen ferrier.

@MalcTV

13y↑28

Imagine hearing this lovely and tragic music in 1946, at the end of WW2 where literally millions of people lost their loved ones! Wow.

@Kings_New_Clothese

14y↑9

its happening again. Whenever I hear a truly great singer, the hair at the back of my neck stands up. I remember reading about Kathleen as a child, but this is the first time I have actually heard her singing. NOW, I perfectly understand why she is up there with Callas etc as one of the great female singers of all time.

@fardellp

10y↑18

My favorite female singer was Adelina Patti - now its Kathleen Ferrier. I can't listen to this without welling up. Will never be equalled.
Peter

@patrickhopkins7446

9y↑22

what a beautiful person with a truly amazing voice, rest in peace our kath,x

@badmartianshrew

15y↑8

listening to this over the phone with my 80yr old friend. She is crooning along with Kathleen. What a magical moment.

@marknorwood43

10y↑12

First heard "What is life--"whilst lodging with an older couple in Middlesex, they would sit in silence and listen to music. I was a tax office trainee! The next song was one I learnt from the music teacher of the then "Southlands 2ndary School" in New Romney, as a pupil of singing aged 14, the lessons a gift from my elder sister. Great memories.

@porthrepta

11y↑11

Nobody, but nobody, equals that dramatic, spine-tingling climax. Such power, such emotion.

@kittytwister

14y↑9

Tears are in my eyes listening to Kathleen and thinking when i was young telling my mother who loved this second piece "Arth thou troubled" that I thought this was trash. How foolish we can be when young?

@MrMickmonk

13y↑14

this is so spiritually moving ...sang by a very spiritual voice so moving 10/10

@annabellemark5053

9y↑21

My father died the same week aged 40 a professional singer also, so this always reminds me I was just a baby at the time

@dmtudor

15y↑12

I remember a Lynda La Plante crime series called "Widows" in the early 80's. At the very end of the final episode, one of the key characters lay dead on the floor .. and instead of the usual end-music, they simply rolled the credits against an old, muffled version of "What Is Life". It totally blew me away and I spent years trying to track down the music - it turned out to be this very Kathleen Ferrier version ... and I still love it, 25 years on.

@iteachbass

13y↑19

There simply are no words to describe such beauty.

@guitarcat5

11y↑20

Still my favourite song and always will be...what a magic voice Kathleen had!...funny tale...I was a teenager and painting a disabled friend's front windows...singing along at the top of my voice with a recording of this..when I focused on a bus queue beyond the hedge ..all looking rather startled (panic stricken perhaps!!!) I was such a shy body I just died with embarrassment...thankfully the bus appeared....! (I check all windows first now..Haha!) ^..^

@DavidKeithJones

14y↑16

Che faro senza Kathleen? Her early death was a great loss. One of the great voices which touched everyone who heard it.

@rhiannonhopkins6876

9y↑26

I am no fan of opera sung in English, but this is a most sublime and glorious exception! Thank you, Kathleen

@Nijinsky47

9y↑17

Sharing her birthday, I was named after this sublime singer. I was introduced to her inimitably beautiful voice at an early age by my mother who, at nearly 100 years' old still almost weeps - as do I - when I play her Miss Ferrier's records. Such incredible singing, such a tragic loss.

@SponDooley

9y↑6

Nijinsky47 That's really nice about your mother and you. Thanks for sharing. It's hard not to do the same when listening to such exquisite music. They don't write or sing stuff like this these days, more's the pity.

@Pitborn

9y↑2

Nijinsky47 Your mother is not alone with these feelings. My eyes are wet. How is it possible to sing like 3:00 ff ?

@chilledminx

12y↑3

Wonderful, amazing, beautiful voice. What a tragedy she was taken from us so young.

@rat12345chris

12y↑5

the best makes you wonder what music so good god bless her

@artwilliams9019

9y↑24

A good Blackburn girl god bless her and her northern voice

@Pitborn

9y↑13

art williams I am not English. But when I hear this I wish I were.

@Mickell1234

16y↑6

My two favourites, I never tire of hearing her beautiful voice, thanks.

@tezjag3

10y↑17

A voice like that should not die, It is supreme.Terry

@Pitborn

9y↑7

Terry Dyer Be sure: It won't die.

@singsong1940

14y↑3

Just heavenly, makes me weep its so beautiful. I miss you so much Mum and Dad. Miss you too John.

@thombotomb

9y↑17

So utterly moving! I understand that this lady's nature was as beautiful as her voice. This shows through in the thoughtful accompanying montage of photos. Thank you!

@bonnies1234567

14y↑11

Kathleen's joyous, yet spiritual interpretation, so warm and real wakens within me the meaning of compassion and thoughtfulness.

@mayjar1

9y↑21

Does it get any better than this. I don't think so. Beautiful.

@patrickhopkins7446

9y↑7

a truly awesome voice, a gift from the gods that was taken back way to soon, we couldn't possibly dream of seeing another. utterly amazing,

@MrMickmonk

12y↑4

HOW can anyone not like this .. guess there's no pleaseing in some ''sigh''

@tyedrooms

12y↑5

thank you, we hold this vinal recording .. it is the word colour, quite simple. This love of this heart, knowing each word, then use of languague. Blessings upon this soul ever lasting.

@Thoughtland

14y↑5

Way back in the mists of time when I was wee I used to hear her singing Blow the Wind Southerly on the radio

@BryanMRoland

15y↑1

in 1946 I was 2 years old - I did not hear this awsome rendition of this piece of life essence till I was much older and had children and my eldest son played it to me and asked why it made him cry? I could not answer......I was crying!!!!! peter was 10 55 years ago - I was 25..... 40 years ago!!!!!

@johncliffe39

16y↑5

first heard her recordings at secondary school and loved her ever since, some 45 years in time

@marknamaswa596

11y↑12

My dad gave me a book entitled; Kathleen Ferrier-A memoir. We still have it in our library so I grew up knowing her in black and white.

@RiaLake

13y↑6

Tears flowed throughout. So beautiful thank you.

@carlastaton4150

11y↑5

I used to sing these songs at the top of my voice in the car with my kids. Happy days.

@shanipan

14y↑1

I grew up with this music - she was my mother's favourite singer. I sang along to her albums as a child and studied this song in my musical study days, I plan to sing this at her funeral - it is the essence of both of us - music will calm us. So moving!

@bilstew

15y↑7

A truly marvellous voice, Unique and unequalled.

@marcellny

12y↑7

who can dislike this? maybe someone who likes the baritonello's masquerading as countertenors today? this... is one of the most awesome voices and interpretations of this aria, even if in the awkward English language.

@minniemoo1

16y↑5

Absolutely beautiful!

@fionajohnston5206

11y↑6

Yes this immortalises her and surely another of my favourites- hauntingly beautiful.

@MrMickmonk

14y↑7

voice of a angel this woman

@StephensOrigamiWorkshop

12y↑9

Wonderfull, absolutley wonderfull

@sylviavalentinavadimova3432

10y↑11

Beautiful! What an artist!

@maikedulk

16y↑5

what a wonderful voice

@buttonfreezer

13y↑1

lovely lovely lovely les reves mysteriese de mon enfance. burnley be proud of her. even now she steps back intt our lives because death cannot hold her back.we have lived to hear that voice. so beautiful and so of england. thankyou Kathleen.

@paulostroff99

15y↑6

Lovely beyond comparison! Brava!

@Wisterialodge

14y↑2

Kathleen is surely unique. Her sound is eternal.

@JorieFrancis

9y↑4

A Favourite played to me as a child at school assembly, those teacher knew what they were doing.

@SINGINGOPERAFAN

15y↑4

a voice so beautiful, it makes me weep.

@MrPipposiculo

9y↑14

Voce stupenda e indimenticabile

@OldGrumpyGuy

15y↑8

My favorite Kathleen Ferrier song is "What is Life " from Gluck's Orfeo

@falconoilcompany

14y↑5

i blubbed when i read ilandyers post about his/her dad, i know just what they mean. spot on, as for the song, quite beautiful as was Kathleen.

@BbMinor

17y↑5

Wow! What a voice! :D

@Rozie7748

10y↑14

This is an English version of the famous aria from Gluck's opera "Orfeo et Euridice." The piece was first performed in Vienna on 5 October 1762.

@porthrepta

11y↑8

The English version may sing less well, but in terms of poetic power it wins hands down: What is life to me without thee What is left if thou art dead? What is life; life without thee? What is life without my love? What is left if thou art dead? Eurydice! Eurydice! Ah, hear me. Oh, answer! Oh answer! Thy dear lord am I so faithful, My dear lord am I, who loves thee, Who doth love thee! Eurydice! Eurydice! In my dread anguish nought can aid me, None can comfort. Earth is cruel, heav’n is cold!

@DavidRimanelliselect

10y↑13

Always brings a tear to the eye.

@donbavand49

16y↑4

Thank you so much for posting this. This recording was probably the first opera I ever heard. I remember it being on the radio quite often in the 1950s, and I always loved it, even when I was too little to really understand what it was or who Kathleen Ferrier was.

@MARESPANIOLA

14y↑4

Ferrier is my queen of contralto!

@hoppobun7

10y↑6

With out a doubt the voice of an angel, Beautiful. concise, crystal clear
,music for the soul
, Thanks for this Russell , you can sing a bit as well!!!!
atb Brian

@missionpants

15y↑3

Sylvia McNair... That's all I have to say! But what a BEAUTIFUL voice I hear here!

@philiphumphreys3991

11y↑10

My childhood favouries from age less than 5. One of my parents favourites Hence my exposure.to this classic

@tmmmviii

14y↑4

Thanks for posting this. Never heard her before, but this is fourth song in a row on which she sounds really good.

@mjfeven

14y↑1

A light has gone has gone out from this world and I shall miss her.

@basquill1

14y↑3

@Thoughtland Yes I very much remember "Blow the Wind Southerly" and hearing Kathleen singing it on the radio as a child - my mother loved Kathleen Ferrier and used to love to sing along with her.

@philipmajor9561

10y↑5

a favourite from an early age.

@robertparkes4982

10y↑7

Beautiful...........

@stamsospecial

11y↑3

maravilla!! thanks for posting these!!

@MrPipposiculo

13y↑1

Un grande contralto che ci ha lasciato troppo presto .

@philiphumphreys5343

11y↑4

My late parents favourite.Exposed me to this at an early age.plus some classical music. Has influenced my musical taste more than somewhat. No regrets however.

@philipmajor3317

9y↑7

Recall playing the decca ffss record from an early age.

@TheTympanist

12y↑2

c'est cela la musique ,c'est le chant d'un ange

@swanningaround

14y↑1

She is the greatest - along with Leontyne. These ladies can do no wring.

@bonnies1234567

14y↑3

Know what you mean. I cannot play my inspirational CDs in the car either.

@anorak64

15y

She had such an unique voice, it's a travesty that she died so young.

@wilgared

12y↑2

You said it all.

@francesca7564

13y

Onirique .... Merci pour le post !

@classy_dweller

12y↑3

Indeed ,adorable ,a truly wonderful voice! And this Second Person Singular English Pronoun- "Thoy art...." sounds so pleasurably friendly !!!

@johnhoy6635

10y↑9

Reigns supreme

@RussellWatson777

11y

A lovely anecdote Cat5, cute ~☺

@bilstew

15y↑3

Blest are the glorious dead for they shall live forever.

@BryanMRoland

15y↑2

P.s. She died 56 years ago and 21,183 views of love show her unbeatable fingerprint

@xwsftassell

16y

Tip top.

@MARESPANIOLA

14y

Все! Ферриер - моя королева!

@philiphumphreys3991

11y↑3

Have this recording on the decca label 33rpm ffss

@beadisciple

15y

W.G. Rothery

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