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ADD: The Nightingale Bird (Aubrey Beswick)

06 Dec 21 - 05:17 PM (#4128236)
Subject: Lyr Req: Song Sung by George
From: Joe Offer

http://www.ehelp.com/questions/10464641/please-help-me-find-this-song-classical-english-folk-song

My mother studied music when she was doing her GCSE's sometimes around 1989, she was a singer and during her grade 3 her teacher taught her a song. This was a long time ago when my mum was 14/15 years old.
ever since I was born my mother still always sings and hums the song to herself. she has been trying to find the song for years now because she has forgotten some of the lyrics and this song is very close to her heart and a cherished memory.
She would love to find this song and be able to find the lyrics/words and to sing it properly again.
I'v tried for hours online to find the song with the excerpts of lyrics she has, but I come up with nothing. I know its a very old folk song but its as if its just disappeared.

here are the excerpt of lyrics she remembers.

"In the evening when twilight is falling
a beautiful songster can sometimes be heard
softly lilting entrancing the listener
have you not heard
hark to the song of the nightingale bird
in tall tree tops caressed by moonlight
sings the chorister of the sky
his song is gay and wonderful, sad and sorrowful
joy and sorrow addressed to the heavens.
feathered little one, sing while your love goes
sadness and happiness have occurred"

That is all we have so far. I'm not sure if the lyrics are based on a poem or something else, but it would mean a lot to us if anyone could help us.
thank you.


06 Dec 21 - 05:32 PM (#4128238)
Subject: ADD: The Nightingale Bird (Aubrey Beswick)
From: MBSGeorge

THE NIGHTINGALE BIRD
(Aubrey Beswick)

In the evening when twilight is falling,
A beautiful songster can sometimes be heard,
Softly lilting, entrancing the listener,
Have you not heard it?
Hark to the song of the nightingale bird.

In tall tree-tops caressed by moon-light,
Sings the chorister of the sky,
His song is gay and wonderful,
Sad and beautiful,
Joy and sorrow addressed to the heavens.

Feathered little one, sing while our life goes on,
Sadness and happiness oft have occurred,
Softly lilting, entrancing the listener,
Have you not heard it?
Hark to the song of the nightingale bird.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH21Uk97dAE


06 Dec 21 - 05:35 PM (#4128240)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song Sung by George
From: MBSGeorge

I have the sheet music but no details bar the song title.


07 Dec 21 - 12:23 AM (#4128262)
Subject: RE: ADD: The Nightingale Bird - need background/source
From: leeneia

In your opinion is the melody worth preserving? If you can scan the music and send it to me via e-mail, I can make a MIDI file of it which Joe can post here.

You and I have seen each other at the singaround enough times in order to trust each other with our e-mail addresses, I believe. If you feel the same way, send me a PM (personal message) and I will respond to you with my e-mail address. PM's can be found under Quick Links at the top of this page.

If you hesitate to do so, simply do nothing. I will understand.


13 Sep 22 - 02:48 AM (#4152263)
Subject: RE: ADD: The Nightingale Bird - need background/source
From: Joe Offer

MBS George sang this beautifully and the Mudcat Singaround today. Here's another recording:


14 Sep 22 - 06:35 PM (#4152498)
Subject: RE: ADD: The Nightingale Bird - need background/source
From: Joe Offer

Do we have any background information on Aubrey Beswick (1933-2013) and the song?

Apparently, he wrote for school music programs.

Here's his "Twilight" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI4u8PdbheY (piano only)
Vocal performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYl8XARlEiw

And "Coconut Man" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9wQzjDp4Q8 (piano only)

And "Little Spanish Town" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia_l3ySGBiM