The Distant Shore is one of the three songs with words by W. S. Gilbert and music by Sullivan which were written independently of the operas, the other two being Sweethearts and The Love that Loves me Not. Chappell & Co., also published Charles D'Albert's The Distant Shore Waltz "on Arthur Sullivan's popular song" in 1875.

MIDI File [24K, 3' 47"]

Score [214K]

A maiden sat at her door. And sighed as she looked at the sea: "I've a dear, dear love on a distant shore A-dying for news of me, I've a dear, dear love on a distant shore A-dying for news of me." And the wind was listening near, And saw that the maid was fair So the kind wind whispered a hope in her ear As he played with her bright brown hair: "Be of good cheer, sweetheart, I fly to that distant shore, Thy lover I'll tell thou lovest him well, Ever and evermore."

The maiden dried her eyes,
And a smile shone over her face,
For she saw bright hope in the changing skies
As the wind flew off apace.
She saw bright hope in the changing skies
As the wind flew off apace.
And she bade the kind wind good speed,
"Hurry, O Wind," said she,
"Oh, say that I love him indeed and indeed,"
And the wind cried over the sea:
"Be of good cheer, sweetheart,
I fly to that distant shore,
Thy lover I'll tell thou lovest him well,
Ever and evermore."

The wind tore over the wave, Scattering ocean spray, But alack! the lover he flew to save, He met on his homeward way. And his good ship sank in the gale, And ev'ry soul beside, And the wind came sobbing to tell the tale, And the maiden drooped and died. Be of good cheer, poor heart, At rest on a distant shore, Where thou and thy love walk hand in hand Ever and evermore. Be of good cheer, poor heart, At rest on a distant shore, Where thou and thy love walk hand in hand Ever and evermore.

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Page modified 10 November 2012