"The Language of Flowers" is an unpublished song from a poem by the American poet and botanist James Gates Percival, with music written by the English composer Edward Elgar, when he was only fourteen years old.
Contents
It is dated 29 May 1872, inscribed "by Edward W. Elgar", with "words by Percival" (at first thought to be Elgar himself) and dedicated "to my sister Lucy on her birthday."
Lyrics
THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS
In Eastern lands they talk in flow'rs Each blossom that blooms in their garden bowr's, The rose is a sign of joy and love, And the mildness that suits the gentle dove, Innocence gleams in the lily's bell, Fame's bright star and glory's swell The silent, soft and humble heart, And the tender soul that cannot part, The cypress that daily shades the grave, And faith that a thousand ills can brave, Then gather a wreath from the garden bowers,Recordings
"The Unknown Elgar" includes "The Language of Flowers" performed by Teresa Cahill (soprano), with Barry Collett (piano).
References
The Language of Flowers Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA