Gilbert and Sullivan Archive


You are here: Archive Home > Arthur Sullivan > Songs & Ballads > Thou Art Weary
Thou Art Weary
Words by Adelaide A. Procter.
Published By Chappell & Co, 1874.
Sung by Madame Antoinette Sterling.


Music cover
This song is one of five lyrics by Adelaide Anne Proctor set by Sullivan, the most famous being The Lost Chord.

Karaoke File


Hush! I cannot bear to see thee
Stretch thy tiny hands in vain;
Dear, I have no bread to give thee,
Nothing, child, to ease thy pain.
When God sent thee first to bless me,
Proud and thankful, too, was I;
Now, my darling, I, thy mother,
Almost long to see thee die.
I, thy mother,
Almost long to see thee die.
Sleep my darling, thou art weary
God is good, but life is dreary.

Holl - Newagate
Newgate: Committed for Trial - detail. (Frank Holl)

Better thou shouldst perish early,
Starve, so soon, my darling one,
Than in helpless sin and sorrow
Vainly live as I have done.
Better that thy angel spirit
With my joy, my peace were flown,
Than thy heart grow cold and careless,
Reckless, hopeless, like my own.
Cold and careless,
Reckless, hopeless like my own.
Sleep my darling, thou art weary
God is good, but life is dreary.

I am wasted, dear, with hunger,
And my brain is all opprest;
I have scarcely strength to press thee,
Wan and feeble to my breast.
Patience, baby, God will help us:
Death will come to thee and me.
He will take us to his heaven,
Where no want or pain can be,
Where no want or pain can be.
Sleep my darling, thou art weary,
God is good, but life is dreary,
Sleep, my darling,
God is good, but life is dreary.

Archive Home  |  Arthur Sullivan  |  Songs & Ballads  

Page modified 1 December 2012