Life is a river (Frank Wrigley)

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• (Posted 2023-12-19)  CPDL #78356:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-12-19).   Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 549 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Life is a river
Composer: Frank Wrigley
Lyricist: Charles Jeffreys
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1876 J. Scrutton
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text

Oh, life is a river, and man is the boat,
That over its surface is destined to float–
And joy is the cargo so easily stor’d
That he is a fool that takes Sorrow on board.

We all have our taste of the ups and the downs,
As Fortune dispenses her smiles and her frowns;
Oh, may we not hope, if she’s frowning today,
That tomorrow she’ll lend us the light of her ray?

I would not, that man, without caution should steer
O’er the quick-sands, the rocks, that encircle us here;
Be honour his compass, the magnet his breast,
Let him stand to truth’s cause, and to fate leave the rest.

There’s plenty of sunshine, then why choose the shade?
Half the clouds that come o’er us, our own fears have made,
Then go right ahead, and there’s Joy’s smiling ray,
Why run from our course to meet Trouble half-way.

Would Summer be prized for its fruit and its flowers,
If Winter ne’er followed with storms, wind, and showers?
And does not the brightest of pleasures appear
Still brighter, when chequered with moments of care?

I ask not for gold, are there pleasures in wealth,
So dear to the heart as contentment and health?
Oh, give me but these, naught can add to my store,
Without them, though riches were mine, I am poor.