After (Elgar)

"After" is a song written by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1895, as his Op. 31, No. 1, with the words from a poem by Philip Bourke Marston.

The manuscript is dated 21 June 1895.

The song was first performed by the Irish baritone Harry Plunket Greene in St. James's Hall on 2 March 1900, together with A Song of Flight, Op. 31, No. 2.

Lyrics
A little time for laughter, A little time to sing, A little time to kiss and cling, And no more kissing after.

A little while for scheming Love's unperfected schemes; A little time for golden dreams, Then no more any dreaming.

A little while 'twas given To me to have thy love; Now, like a ghost, alone I move About a ruined heaven.

A little time for speaking Things sweet to say and hear; A time to seek, and find thee near, Then no more any seeking.

A little time for saying Words the heart breaks to say; A short, sharp time wherein to pray, Then no more need for praying;

But long, long years to weep in, And comprehend the whole Great grief, that desolates the soul, And eternity to sleep in.

Recordings

 * Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar has "After" performed by Amanda Pitt (soprano), with David Owen Norris (piano).