Why Beauty matters V. Henry Purcell: Nymphs and Shepherds

Recorded 94 years ago in Manchester, England. Nymphs and Shepherds is a song by the English composer Henry Purcell, from the play The Libertine by Thomas Shadwell. It was composed in 1692.
Manchester Children's Choir
This song was made famous when in June 1929, a choir of 250 schoolchildren from 52 local schools was recorded singing it in the Free Trade Hall, accompanied by the Hallé Orchestra under the direction of Sir Hamilton Harty. The city’s education department had decided that children with no musical training should have a chance to perform. The Manchester Children's Choir was therefore formed in 1925 by Walter Carroll, Music Advisor to Manchester Education Committee, from elementary schools in the area.
Lyrics (repeats omitted)
Nymphs and shepherds, come away,
In this grove, in this grove, let's sport and play let's sport and play;
For this is Flora's holiday,
Sacred to ease and happy love,
To music, to dancing and to poetry.
Your flocks may now securely rest
While you express your jollity!
Nymphs and shepherds, come away.
Nymphs and shepherds, pipe and play,
Tune a song, a festal lay;
For this is Flora's holiday,
Lightly we tread o'er all the ground,
With music, with dancing and with poetry.
Then trip we round with merry sound,
And pass the day in jollity!
Nymphs and shepherds, come away.
Art
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[@pjaygeorge8016]

Reminds me of singing this, at age 9 or 10, with combined school choirs at Reading Town Hall. But it would be hard to beat the enthusiasm (and enunciation) of these Manchester kids that leaves me quite emotional.

[@AntPDC]

The lithe and graceful voices of youth. Hope all is well!

[@smoath]

😊👍🏻

[@MarkCSevenSixTwo]

Any uploads planned for Just As the Tide Was Flowing, Ant? That's a very British song for May and the start of summer 😎👍

[@AntPDC]

I'm ashamed to say I'm unfamiliar with that piece Mark. Any performance recommendations?

[@paolofranceschi6874]

This recording is a dream. Thanks a lot for posting this amazing piece performed by those wonderful children. ❤

[@curtisloftis6003]

This was produced in the turbulent space between two world wars and on the cusp of a depression, and yet they found the desire and ability to create lasting beauty. Thanks for posting.

[@AntPDC]

Such is the fortitude, optimism and strength of the human spirit.

[@pjaygeorge8016]

Also, I love the slight trace of Mancunian accent in the kid's singing !