Vaughan Williams was inspired by George Meredith's 122-line poem of the sam… Read Full Bio ↴Vaughan Williams was inspired by George Meredith's 122-line poem of the same name about the skylark. He included this portion of Meredith's poem on the flyleaf of the published work:
He rises and begins to round,
He drops the silver chain of sound,
Of many links without a break,
In chirrup, whistle, slur and shake.
For singing till his heaven fills,
‘Tis love of earth that he instils,
And ever winging up and up,
Our valley is his golden cup
And he the wine which overflows
to lift us with him as he goes.
Till lost on his aerial rings
In light, and then the fancy sings.
The work was written in two versions: violin and piano, written in 1914; and violin and orchestra, written in 1920. The orchestral version is the one that is almost always heard now. It is one of the most popular pieces in the Classical repertoire among British listeners.
Vaughan Williams sketched the work while watching troop ships cross the English Channel at the outbreak of the First World War. A small boy observed him making the sketches and, thinking he was jotting down a secret code, informed a police officer, who subsequently arrested the composer. The war halted his compositional activities, but the work was revised in 1920 with the help of the English violinist Marie Hall, during their stay at Kings Weston House near Bristol.
The use of pentatonic scale patterns frees the violin from a strong tonal centre, and shows the impressionistic side of Vaughan Williams' style. This liberty also extends to the metre; the cadenzas for solo violin are written without bar lines, lending them a sense of meditational release.
He rises and begins to round,
He drops the silver chain of sound,
Of many links without a break,
In chirrup, whistle, slur and shake.
For singing till his heaven fills,
‘Tis love of earth that he instils,
And ever winging up and up,
Our valley is his golden cup
And he the wine which overflows
to lift us with him as he goes.
Till lost on his aerial rings
In light, and then the fancy sings.
The work was written in two versions: violin and piano, written in 1914; and violin and orchestra, written in 1920. The orchestral version is the one that is almost always heard now. It is one of the most popular pieces in the Classical repertoire among British listeners.
Vaughan Williams sketched the work while watching troop ships cross the English Channel at the outbreak of the First World War. A small boy observed him making the sketches and, thinking he was jotting down a secret code, informed a police officer, who subsequently arrested the composer. The war halted his compositional activities, but the work was revised in 1920 with the help of the English violinist Marie Hall, during their stay at Kings Weston House near Bristol.
The use of pentatonic scale patterns frees the violin from a strong tonal centre, and shows the impressionistic side of Vaughan Williams' style. This liberty also extends to the metre; the cadenzas for solo violin are written without bar lines, lending them a sense of meditational release.
The Lark Ascending
Ralph Vaughan Williams Lyrics
Instrumental
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@sidpheasant7585
Though I'm British (like the great, great Ralph Vaughan Williams, whose birthplace I have visited), I spent a couple of (amazing) holidays in the US back in the 1980s. Not been back since, I'm very sorry to say. Family responsibilities, expense, 9/11, pandemic, visa needed for my wife (though I do NOT need one) and so many other factors.
One day of my life (so far!) was spent in the Blue Ridge, looking down on the Shenandoah Valley. I travelled with American relatives all deceased now.
Sadly there is often haze round there but that day it was crisply cool and clear, with the sun shining.
Those tree colours were just getting there (better than in the West, I believe?)
It may well have been EXACTLY 37 years ago today (call it a coincidence, though I don't believe in those since I was "Born Again" last year).
It is thanks to that trip that I have "cedar waxwing" on my bird list - of course it was the only time I have ever seen this species, though (unlike quite a few things which fade), I can still see that quite well in my mind's eye.
It was a superb day, though it is not the West (which I also visited back in the 80s, and of course loved).
But believe me it is not bad.
So if the Star Trek transporter ever gets invented, I'm asking Mr Scott to beam me back to where you live now!
For another day out there.
It will do for me!!!
@scaramouche853
The first time I heard this exquisite piece of music, I was driving a lorry through the Berkshire countryside and it came on Classic FM, and it was requested by a mother who had just buried her four year old son. They used to listen to it together through his illness and he loved it..she said it was now how she imagined him, a beautiful free spirit flying up to heaven. Despite being a big burly trucker, I had to pull over and I sobbed my heart out for ten minutes. I just couldn’t hold it together. Even recounting the story now, sets me off! How can a world that produces such beautiful music be so cruel to such an innocent! Needless to say I have had a soft spot for this piece of music ever since. I can’t listen to it without thinking of that poor bereaved mother and the poor poor child!
@patriciaholloway
You're a true gem.
@evelynbaron8357
What a beautiful account wonderfully written!
@ebertmesiascancharidelacru3669
I feel the same sadness. Now that baby is in the Paradise.
@user-tz4ue1ee5v
Поклон на голямото Ви добро сърце! Но съдба. С обич от България! A tribute to your big good heart! But fate. With love from Bulgaria (Google translator)
@susangrossman8431
You have a lovely soul. And an interesting name. Scara Mouche.
@GrandstandVideo
My Mother passed away tonight. This was one of her favorite songs. I played it for her and I know she heard it. She squeezed my hand each time.
@a.t.c.3862
Bless you a thousand thousand times - and may your Mum rise in glory.
@itsmeyoufool37
God bless, be strong
@g.p616
Take care and I know your right, she did hear it.