”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]
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.[3]