SONG TEXT

Gabriel Fauré: Tendresse (from "Dolly Suite"), Opus 56, No. 5 (SMB #132)

(Tenderness, re-entitled: Tenderly life flows; text by B.A.S.)

Tenderly life flows from birth to our ending. Playful we in our childhood, running, laughing in childhood, spinning like a toy, a life of joy; floating on a dream, a life serene; and dancing full of life, so tender the child. When flood tides of springtime are strong, with life full of surprises and song; and joy sweeps us along and pleasure has a thousand guises, with bright surprises; and when manhood's throne we climb for our horizon has no ending. All powers in their springtime are strong, and stronger in their spending. And so tenderly life flows from birth to our ending. Wistfully, when the number of our days makes a sum of fullest measure, quietly we count the richest ways that life has filled our cup with treasure rich, so tenderly.

(Approx. performance timing: 2:50)

[ back to the list of titles and composers ]