Sullivan frequently enjoyed the hospitality of Sir Coutts Lindsay, a Scottish Baronet, and his wife, Lady Caroline Blanche Elizabeth Lindsay, at their home at Balcarres in Fife. He even joined them on their continental travels, as their guest, visiting Germany in 1874 and Italy in 1875.
In 1877, the Lindsays founded the Grosvenor Gallery - referred to in Patience - and Lady Lindsay penned the words of this song.

MIDI File [20K, 3' 48"]

Score [176K]

Sometimes, when I'm sitting alone, Dreaming alone in the gloom, There comes, on the wings of the twilight, Sweet music that fills the room. I know not from whither it comes, I know not what message it brings, Though my soul of its burden is lighten'd By the sweet voice that plaintively sings, That plaintively sings, And all around is still; While the music faints and falls, But my heart leaps loud with the tender joy That old song recalls; But my heart leaps loud with the tender joy That old, old song recalls. Sometimes, when I'm sitting alone, Sobbing alone in the night, There floats, with the scent of the flowers, On moonbeams weird and white The thrill of a well known voice That I thought was silent for aye, With the cadence I lov'd to hear In years that have roll'd away, In years roll'd away, And all around is still; While the music faints and falls, But my heart leaps loud with the passionate joy That old song recalls; But my heart leaps loud with the passionate joy That old, old song recalls. That old, old song. My heart leaps loud with the passionate joy That old, old song recalls.

Archive Home  |  Arthur Sullivan  |  Songs & Ballads  

Page modified 17 November 2012