I attended a student recital which included Vaughn Williams The Roadside Fire. (Perhaps the entire song cycle was sung, I don't recall) The singer looked extremely uncomfortable and formal in his suit, starched white shirt and tie. I just could not believe he was going to convince his love to go tramping through the woods by singing about getting rained on and doing laundry.

The notion just seemed preposterous in that setting. The singer's formal appearance was so incongruous with the songs subject. I had the impression he was somewhat insane.

I offended the person I accompanied by stating my opinion. The subject just didn't seem in keeping with the formality of the venue. To be honest, I have not had a lot of exposure to "Art Songs."


I have listened to quite a bit of opera, but most of it has been in English, and what has been in English, I have still needed subtitles to understand. And often, the portrayals are of insanity, so yeah, opera works for me.

Lyrics:

I will make you brooches and toys for your delight
Of bird-song at morning and star-shine at night,
I will make a palace fit for you and me
Of green days in forests, and blue days at sea.

I will make my kitchen, and you shall keep your room,
Where white flows the river and bright blows the broom;
And you shall wash your linen and keep your body white
In rainfall at morning and dewfall at night.

And this shall be for music when no one else is near,
The fine song for singing, the rare song to hear!
That only I remember, that only you admire,
Of the broad road that stretches and the roadside fire.