The Goslings (John Frederick Bridge)

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• (Posted 2023-09-27)  CPDL #75805:     

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-09-27).   Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 506 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Faithful to 1913 Novello & Co. publication for SATB.

• (Posted 2021-02-16)  CPDL #62971:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2021-02-16).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 146 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: #62968, transposed up a perfect 4th for SATB.

• (Posted 2021-02-16)  CPDL #62968:         

Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2021-02-16).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 146 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: ATTB edition. Inscribed to the South London Musical Club.

• (Posted 2012-02-17)  CPDL #25598:        (Sibelius 6)

Editor: Ian Haslam (submitted 2012-02-17).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 68 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Piano part for rehearsal only.

Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.

General Information

Title: The Goslings
Composer: John Frederick Bridge
Lyricist: Frederic Edward Weatherly

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicings: SATB or ATTB
Genre: Secular, Partsong, Humorous Song

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1891 The Orpheus no.234
    2nd published: 1913 Novello's Part-Songs no 1268
Description: 

External websites:

• 1972 YouTube performance (Guildford Cathedral Choir) - Barry Rose

Original text and translations

English text She was a pretty little gosling, And a gay young gosling he; And "I love you," he said, "so dearly;" And "I love you too," said she. But "alas! we must part, "He whispered, "I'm off to the world so wide; But love, don't fear, I'll come next year, And make you my little bride?" 'Twas Michaelmas day at morning, That he came home once more, He met his true love's mother, And oh! she was weeping sore. "Too late, you've come," she whispered, "They've taken your love away, She never will be your bride, ah, me! For she's going to be cooked today!" Then up he went to the farm house: "Where is my love?" he said; But the farmer's wife, she seized a knife, And cut off his little head. And she served him up With his true love, On a dish so deep and wide, So though in life they were parted, At death they were side by side.

German translation Sie war ein hübsches kleines Gänslein und er ein flotter junger Ganser. „Ich liebe dich so sehr,“ sagte er, und „Ich liebe dich auch“, sagte sie. Doch flüsterte er „Leider müssen wir scheiden,“ „Ich muss in die weite Welt; doch sorg dich nicht, Liebste, nächstes Jahr bin ich zurück, und dann mache ich dich zu meiner kleinen Braut.“ Es war früh an Michaelis, als er nach Hause zurückkam, er traf seiner Liebsten Mutter und sie weinte bitterlich. „Zu spät bist du gekommen“ flüsterte sie, „sie haben deine Liebste geholt, o weh, sie wird nie deine Braut, denn heute wird sie gebraten!“ Da marschierte er zum Bauernhaus, „Wo ist meine Liebste?“ sagte er; doch die Bauernfrau griff ein Messer und schnitt ihm seinen kleinen Hals durch. Und sie richtete ihn neben seiner großen Liebe an, auf einer Platte, so tief und breit, und so, im Leben getrennt, im Tod waren sie vereint.