Classic European Lyrics

This book contains some of the most beautiful and well-loved lyrics of Europe. The Gaelic short lyrics were composed by clerics in monastries all across Europe from 8th to 12th centuries. The French and Spanish lyrics, equally well-known, were composed during the 12th to 20th centuries. The book also includes a written introduction to the lyrics of the original European Union which was known as Christendom. The lyrics are given in the original Gaelic, French and Spanish languages and include the literal translations. Included are verse redactions and also bios of the poets. A lyric is a poem which has been, or could be, set to music. Although the main emphasis is on readings, the author has set a few of the verse redactions to simple, well-known folk tunes to illustrate the relationship between words and music. The tonic sol-fa method of notation has been used and a key is to be found at the end of the book. The reader may wish to extend this experience to other lyrics.