Singing the Living Tradition ‎#98

98. Loveliest of Trees

1 Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
is hung with bloom along the bough,
and stands about the woodland ride
wearing white for Eastertide.

2 Now of my threescore years and ten,
twenty will not come again,
and take from sev'nty springs a score,
leaving me just fifty more.

3 And since to look at things in bloom
fifty springs are little room,
about the woodlands I will go,
seeing the cherry hung with snow.

Text Information

• First Line: Loveliest of trees, the cherry now is hung
• Title: Loveliest of Trees
• Author: A. E. Housman, 1859-1936
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Topic: Transcending Mystery and Wonder: Transience; Change; Easter; Spring

Tune Information

• Name: ORIENTIS PARTIBUS
• Harmonizer: Carlton R. Young, 1926-
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.
• Key: F Major or modal
• Source: Medieval French melody
• Copyright: Harm. © 1989 United Methodist Publishing House