The Two Grenadiers - 1899

James Pitt-Payne, London and Ian Cousins, Opera Australia - 24 Jan 2002

To France there journey'd two grenadiers,
Set free from their dark Russian prison;
But when they came to the German frontiers
Fresh grief in their hearts had arisen;
For there did they hear the tidings of woe,
How France to her depths had been shaken,
Her army defeated, her pride brought low,
And the Emp'ror, the Emp'ror was taken.
In silence their bitterest tears they shed,
Their country's downfall mourning:
And then one spoke: "Would I were dead!
Again is my old wound burning."
The other said: "The end has come,
For life I care no longer;
But I've a wife and child at home,
And they would die of hunger."
To wife and child my heart is dead
By all but one thought forsaken;
Let the children beg if they want for bread,
My Emp'ror, my Emp'ror is taken!
If thou my comrade true will prove,
Now death is closing o'er me,
Oh carry my corpse to the France I love,
To rest in the soil that bore me!
My cross of honour duly tied,
Close to my heart lay on me,
Then place my musket by my side,
And gird my sword upon me.
And there I'll lie with list'ning ear,
Like a sentinel guarding the forces,
Till the booming cannon shall thunder near,
With the noise of the galloping horses;
When my own gallant Emperor
rides o'er the plain,
While shouts with the sword strokes
are blending,
While shouts with the sword strokes
are blending;
From my grave I shall rise like a soldier again,
My Emp'ror, my Emp'ror defending!"

Soft karaoke
Words
treble clef 1
treble clef 2
lyric line
bass
Lyric Line
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The Two Grenadiers 1899
Music by Schumann
English words by Paul England
copyright 1899 by Boosey and Co.
sequence by Dr. Pitt-Payne in London UK
and Ian Cousins, Opera Australia
completed Thursday 24 Jan 2002 at 09.24
in association with Doug Grierson
*