As I laye a-thynkynge

"As I laye a-thynkynge" is the last poem written by "Thomas Ingoldsby" (Richard Barham). It was set to music by the English composer Edward Elgar.

The song was published in 1888 by Beare & Son, though may have been written in the previous year. It is a song for soprano or tenor.

Lyrics
Elgar omitted the two verses enclosed in square brackets [ ] – the fifth and sixth verses of the poem.

AS I LAYE A-THYNKYNGE
 * As I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge,
 * Merrie sang the Birde as she sat upon the spraye!
 * There came a noble Knyghte,
 * With his hauberke shynynge brighte,
 * And his gallant heart was lyghte,
 * Free and gaye;
 * As I laye a-thynkynge, he rode upon his waye.


 * As I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge,
 * Sadly sang the Birde as she sat upon the tree!
 * There seemed a crimson plain,
 * Where a gallant Knyghte lay slayne,
 * And a steed with broken rein
 * Ran free,
 * As I laye a-thynkynge, most pitiful to see!


 * As I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge,
 * Merrie sang the Birde as she sat upon the boughe;
 * A lovely Mayde came by,
 * And a gentil youth was nyghe,
 * And he breathed many a syghe
 * And a vowe;
 * As I laye a-thynkynge, her heart was gladsome now.


 * As I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge,
 * Sadly sang the Birde as she sat upon the thorne;
 * No more a youth was there,
 * But a Maiden rent her haire,
 * And cried out in sad despaire,
 * 'That I was borne!'
 * As I laye a-thynkynge, she perished forlorne.


 * [ As I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge,
 * Sweetly sang the Birde as she sat upon the briar;
 * There came a lovely Childe,
 * And his face was meek and mild,
 * Yet joyously he smiled
 * On his sire;
 * As I laye a-thynkynge, a Cherub mote admire.


 * But I laye a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge, a-thynkynge,
 * And sadly sang the Birde as it perch'd upon a bier;
 * That joyous smile was gone,
 * And that face was white and wan,
 * As the downe upon the Swan
 * Doth appear
 * As I laye a-thynkynge - oh! bitter flow'd the tear! ]


 * As I laye a-thynkynge the golden sun was sinking,
 * O merrie sang that Birde as it glittered on her breast
 * With a thousand gorgeous dyes,
 * While soaring to the skies,
 * 'Mid the stars she seem'd to rise,
 * As to her nest;
 * As I laye a-thynkynge, her meaning was exprest:-
 * 'Follow, follow me away,
 * It boots not to delay,'-
 * 'Twas so she seem'd to saye,
 * 'HERE IS REST!'
 * T. I.

Recordings

 * Songs and Piano Music by Edward Elgar Premiere recording of "As I laye a-thynkynge" performed by Amanda Pitt (soprano), with David Owen Norris (piano).