Historic Sheet Music Collection
Title
Document Type
Score
Links to Recordings at the Internet Archive
https://archive.org/details/78_excelsior_lewis-james-and-elliott-shaw-balfe_gbia0010581a
Publication Date
1843
Lyrics
The shades of night were falling fast
As thro' an Alpine village pass'd
A youth who bore 'mid snow and ice
A banner with the strange device, Excelsior.
His brow was sad,
His eye beneath flash'd like a falchion from its sheath
And like a silver clarion rung
The scents of that unknown tongue, Excelsior.
In happy homes he saw the light
Of household fires gleam warm and bright
Above the spectral glaziers shone
And from his lips escap'd a groan, Excelsior.
Try not to pass the old man said
Dark lowers the tempest overhead
The roaring torrent is deep and wide
And loud that clarion voice replied, Excelsior.
Oh stay the maiden said and rest
Thy weary head upon this breast
A tear stood in his bright blue eye
But still he answer'd with a sigh, Excelsior.
Beware the pine trees wither'd breath
Beware the awful avalanche
This was the peasant's last good night
A voice replied far up the height, Excelsior.
At break of day as heavenward
The pious monks of Saint Bernard
Utter'd the oft repeated prayer
A voice cried thro' the startled air, Excelsior.
A traveller by the faithful hound
Half buried in the snow was found
Still grasping in his hand of ice
That banner with the strange device, Excelsior.
There in the twilight cold and gray
Lifeless, but beautiful he lay
And from the sky serene and far
A voice fell like a falling star, Excelsior.
Recommended Citation
Family, Hutchinson, "Excelsior" (1843). Historic Sheet Music Collection. 416.
https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/sheetmusic/416
The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.
Comments
Excelsior
Words by Henry W. Longfellow
Music composed & sung by the Hutchinson Family
This poem represents the continued aspirations of Genius. It's motto "Excelsior" (still higher) is a word in an unknown tongue. Disregarding the everyday comforts of life, the allurements of love, and the warnings of experience, it presses forward on its solitary path. Even in death it holds fast its device, and a voice from the air proclaims the progress of the Soul in a higher sphere.
New York. Published by Firth & Hall 1 Franklin Square
and J.L. Hewitt & Co. 239 Broadway
Some of the resources may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials should be seen in the context of the time period and as a reflection of attitudes of the time. The items are part of the historical record, and do not represent the views of the libraries or the institution.