Cornish Lament

Nora Hopper Chesson

Nora Hopper Chesson portrait

1871 to 1906

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Cornish Lament - Track 1

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Fair head, come home to me. 
Home from the jealous sea, 
Long weeks I've watched for you,
My door unlatched for you. 
Door and heart open be — 
Fair head, come home to me! 

Lad, when you sailed away
Gulls cried the livelong day — 
Meg wept where all might see, 
"Fair head, come home to me." 
I found no words to say, 
Watching you sail away. 

Meg cried, "Shame on the sea, 
Fair head, come home to me!" 
Nay, but I made no moan 
When the sea took my own,
No moan where men could see 
For lover lost to me. 

Only, when star to star
Gleams where the rock-pools are — 
Only, when lights at sea 
Show boats not dear to me, 
Then am I free to cry. 
Up to the watching sky. 

Then to the sea I lean — 
Dipping my hands therein. 
Whispering as now I do, 
Low to the sea — and you, 
"Drowned and dead though you be, 
Fair head, come home to me!" 

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