"By a Bierside" by Ivor Gurney, sung by Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano)

Superb British mezzo-soprano, Sarah Connolly, accompanied by pianist Eugene Asti, sings "By a Bierside" composed by Ivor Gurney to words by the poet John Masefield. This song was written by Gurney in 1916 in the trenches of WWI.

From a recital at Wigmore Hall, London, 8 March 2010. For the New York Times review of Sarah Connolly's performance of "By a Bierside" at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Centre, New York on 14 April 2011 see:
http://goo.gl/9qmD6

"By a Bierside

This is a sacred city, built of marvellous earth.
Life was lived nobly there to give such Beauty birth.
Beauty was in that heart and in this eager hand.
Death is so blind and dumb, death does not understand.

Death drifts the brain with dust and soils the young limbs' glory.
Death makes justice a dream and strength a traveller's story.
Death drives the lovely soul to wander under the sky.
Death opens unknown doors. It is most grand to die."

Photo: Julieta Cervantes, New York Times