"Was it some Golden Star?" is a poem written by Gilbert Parker, published in Volume I of a series of poems called "Embers". It was set to music by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1910, as his Op. 59, No. 5.
Contents
The Opus 59 songs were part of a song-cycle of six romantic songs by Parker that was never completed – strangely Nos 1, 2 and 4 were never composed. The other songs were "Oh, soft was the song" and "Twilight". The songs were originally written with piano accompaniment, but this was later re-scored by the composer for full orchestra.
The songs were composed between December 1909 and January 1910, and published by Novello's in 1910. The first performance was by Muriel Foster at the Jaeger Memorial Concert in the Queen's Hall on 24 January 1910.
Lyrics
WAS IT SOME GOLDEN STAR?
Once in another land, You were a queen, and I, Where was it that we loved-- Was it some golden star Was it in Malabar, Did we know Charlemagne, But you were a queen, and I How did you honour me-– Kissed me upon the lips; Have you forgotten it, I still remember though Whisper the word of life,--