Joseph Harris
(1743 - 1814)
Bred on plains, or born in valleys
(Soprano/Tenor,2 Violins,Viola,'Cello,Keyboard)
Score, part(s) and cover page (PDF), €0.00 for bundled copies Download this item(1743 - 1814)
Bred on plains, or born in valleys
(Soprano/Tenor,2 Violins,Viola,'Cello,Keyboard)
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149510 : Harris : Bred on plains, or born in valleys : sheet music
Catalogued as Choral - Secular (Songs and Concert Airs)
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Publ. 1768. Harris was organist of St Lawrence's church, Ludlow. His songs were presumably intended for concert performance. His extensive subscription list included many composers/concert organizers from neighbouring counties, amongst them Charles Burney (Shrewsbury), Capel Bond (Wolverhampton), Joseph Corfe (Salisbury), Jeremiah Clark (Birmingham), William Felton (Worcester), William Jackson (Exeter) and William Herschel, Thomas Linley and Benjamin Milgrove (all of Bath).
Lyrics: Anon
Bred on plains or born in valleys,
Who would bid those scenes adieu?
Strangers to the arts of malice,
Who would ever courts pursue?
Malice never taught to treasure,
Censure never taught to bear:
Love is all the shepherd's pleasure;
Love is all the damsel's care.
How can they of humble station
Vainly blame the pow'rs above?
Or accuse the dispensation
Which allows them all to love?
Love like air is widely given:
Pow'r nor chance can these restrain:
Truest noblest gifts of Heaven!
Only purest on the plain!
Hark to yonder milkmaid singing
Clearly o'er the brimming pail;
Cowslips, all around her springing,
Sweetly paint the golden vale.
Never yet did courtly maiden
Move so sprightly, look so fair;
Never breast with jewels laden
Pour a song so void of care.
Would indulgent Heav'n had granted
Me some rural damsel's part!
All the empire I had wanted,
That had been my shepherd's heart;
Then with him o'er hills and mountains
Free from sorrow might I rove:
Fearless taste the crystal fountains;
Peaceful sleep beneath the grove.
Bred on plains or born in valleys,
Who would bid those scenes adieu?
Strangers to the arts of malice,
Who would ever courts pursue?
Malice never taught to treasure,
Censure never taught to bear:
Love is all the shepherd's pleasure;
Love is all the damsel's care.
How can they of humble station
Vainly blame the pow'rs above?
Or accuse the dispensation
Which allows them all to love?
Love like air is widely given:
Pow'r nor chance can these restrain:
Truest noblest gifts of Heaven!
Only purest on the plain!
Hark to yonder milkmaid singing
Clearly o'er the brimming pail;
Cowslips, all around her springing,
Sweetly paint the golden vale.
Never yet did courtly maiden
Move so sprightly, look so fair;
Never breast with jewels laden
Pour a song so void of care.
Would indulgent Heav'n had granted
Me some rural damsel's part!
All the empire I had wanted,
That had been my shepherd's heart;
Then with him o'er hills and mountains
Free from sorrow might I rove:
Fearless taste the crystal fountains;
Peaceful sleep beneath the grove.