Yesterday was glad - (2017)    

Charles Dodgson

for medium voice and piano


 for Mark Burstein

Every hour brings something new:
More, alas, are dull than bright:
If but Fairy-tales were true,
Life would all be light.
Yet, amid the dullest day,
Pleasant memories may be had:
Happy those who can but say
"Yesterday was glad."

1 pages, circa 1' 45"


Charles Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll

 

Additional research into the life and work of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832-1898) continues, with more verse becoming known. The text for this song setting is found in "Rare, Uncollected & Unpublished Verse of Lewis Carroll," collected and annotated by August A. Imholtz, Jr. & Edward Wakeling, Lewis Carroll Society of North America, 2017.

 

 

The setting treats the a text from 26 July 1876 from Dodgson, inscribed "Lewis Carroll," to Emily Phyllis Dixon, who would have been a teenager at that time. As on of the Lewis Carroll Society of North America had been guest at our table in Berlin, the text and others were mentioned by him, and so "yesterday was glad" for the visit of this long time friend.

 

 

 

 

The score is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this piano-vocal score.

 

Yesterday was glad