What is the little brook saying? (Benjamin Jepson)

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(Posted 2023-11-02) CPDL #76895:

Editor: David Anderson (submitted 2023-11-02). Score information: Letter, 8 pages, 356 kB Copyright: Personal

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: What Is the Little Brook Saying?
Composer: Benjamin Jepson
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1889 American Book Company
Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

English text

Oh, what is the little brook saying today?
It’s dancing and singing the long hours away.
There’s never a thought in its head, but to play,
It wants to be lively and cheerful today.
Oh, brooklet, dear brooklet a moment pray look
At this dreadful lesson in this stupid book.
If you had to learn it before you could crook,
The brooklet in answer its dimpled waves shook.

I quickly pursued her, she would not keep still,
I followed, and followed e’en down a steep hill.
I found at the last, she was turning a mill,
And working away with a resolute will.
I said to myself, as I turned me away,
I’ve learned one good lesson before school today.
There are two ways to do it, I’ve heard people say:
To work with a frown, or work cheerfully today.