Always and Everywhere

”Always and Everywhere” is a song by the English composer Edward Elgar with words translated from the Polish of Zygmunt Krasiński by Frank H. Fortey.^[1] It was composed and published in 1901.

The repeated ”Always and Everywhere” would have reminded the composer that the initials were those of his wife (Alice) and himself.^[2]

Lyrics

ALWAYS AND EVERYWHERE

O say not, when my earthly days are o’er,

That I have only caused thee sorrows sore ;

For I have wrecked my own life, even more,

Always and Everywhere.

O say not, when on earth I no more dwell,

That I have numbed thy young heart’s joyous swell ;

I, too, have quaffed the Poison-Cup of Hell,

Always and Everywhere.

But say, when soft the grasses o’er me wave,

That God is kind to hide me in the grave ;

For both my life and thine I did enslave,

Always and Everywhere.

But say, O say ! when my last hours depart,

That my poor life was one long frenzied smart ;

For I have loved thee, though with bitter heart,

Always and Everywhere.

Recordings

• "The Unknown Elgar" includes "Always and Everywhere" performed by Teresa Cahill (soprano), with Barry Collett (piano).

• Elgar: Complete Songs for Voice & Piano Amanda Roocroft (soprano), Reinild Mees (piano)

References

1. Moore (p. 346) describes Fortey as "an elderly resident of Birmingham". However the 1901 census shows him a boarder at 15 Wharf Road, King's Norton (nor far from Birmingham), aged only 25. Frank H. Fortey was a translator of Polish literature. His main work was the poems of Mickiewicz.
2. Moore, p.346

• Kennedy, Michael, Portrait of Elgar (Oxford University Press, 1968) ISBN 0-19-315414-5
• Moore, Jerrold N. “Edward Elgar: a creative life” (Oxford University Press, 1984) ISBN 0-19-315447-1