Tune Req: Tune for poem 'Birthright'

Subject: RE: Mudcat Site Map, PermaThread Index, Memorabilia
From: GUEST,Local Color
Date: 02 Mar 14 - 08:41 PM

I am trying to find the tune to the poem Birthright
We who are born in country places.


Anybody have an idea how to track down the tune?

Subject: Tune Req: Tune for poem 'Birthright'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Mar 14 - 01:24 AM

Hi, Local Color - can you give us anything else? Where have you heard the song. Can you post full lyrics?
Thanks.
-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-

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This page says the music was written in 1936 by Margaret Sutherland, 1897-1984; lyrics by Eiluned Lewis.

Partial lyrics were posted in Thread #7247   Message #279857
Posted By: GUEST,C Dye
17-Aug-00 - 07:45 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Spider's Web (Girl Scout song)
Subject: RE: Help! a Girl Scout folk song?

Can anyone help me with yet another GS song? I can't quite remember it all, but I think it goes(except for the la la's..):

BIRTHRIGHT
We who are born in country places
Far from the city and shifting faces
We have a birthright no man can sell
And a secret joy no man can tell.

For we are kindred to lordly things
The wild ducks flight and la la la
Pike and salmon, bull and horse
The curlew's cry and the smell of gorse.

Pride of la, swiftness of stream
The magic of frost has shaped our dreams
No baser vision the spirit fill
Than to walk by right on the naked hill.

I checked the database, but didn't find anything.

Subject: ADD: Birthright (Eiluned Lewis)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Mar 14 - 01:44 AM

BIRTHRIGHT
(Eiluned Lewis)

We who were born
In country places,
Far from cities
And shifting faces,
We have a birthright
No man can sell,
And a secret joy
No man can tell.

For we are kindred
To lordly things,
The wild duck's flight
And the white owl's wings;
To pike and salmon,
To bull and horse,
The curlew's cry
And the smell of gorse.

Pride of trees,
Swiftness of streams,
Magic of frost
Have shaped our dreams:
No baser vision
Their spirit fills
Who walk by right
On the naked hills.

-- Eiluned Lewis


As for the poetess, Eiluned Lewis (1900-1979) was born at Newtown, Montgomeryshire. She became a journalist and was assistant editor of The Sunday Times, 1931-36. Her novel Dew on the Grass (1934) won the Gold Medal of the Book Guild.

Source: http://wonderingminstrels.blogspot.com/2003/07/birthright-eiluned-lewis.html

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for poem 'Birthright'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Mar 14 - 01:24 AM

refresh - Animaterra?

I looked all around, and couldn't find a recording of this song. There are lots of songs with the title "Birthright," which made the search well-nigh impossible.

But apparently this is a choral piece, so I'm hoping some choral director like Animaterra will have a melody for us. It appears the song was also known among Girl Scouts.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for poem 'Birthright'
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Mar 14 - 05:43 AM

Is this what you are looking for?

http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2250661

Greg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for poem 'Birthright'
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Mar 14 - 05:55 AM

Can't find any other references anywhere though. All you need now is a helpful someone with access to the National Library of Australia in Canberra.
Greg

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for poem 'Birthright'
From: GUEST,Chris Collingwood, Spai
Date: 01 May 15 - 05:38 AM

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for poem 'Birthright'
From: GUEST,marjorie
Date: 26 Aug 15 - 05:12 PM

This was my school song from 1935-9, at my little prep school in Dorset. We sang it to a tune by Christopher le Fleming: his father was a GP in, I think, Wimborne Minster, the town where I was born. I could still sing it to you, but maybe it's online under his name?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for poem 'Birthright'
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 01 Feb 17 - 06:52 PM

This was my school song at Brockhill Secondary School Saltwood UK which I attended from 1953-1957. I still could remember the words of the first verse by memory after 60 years. I recall the tune as well but have not found any recording on You Tube.