Ah! May The Red Rose Live Alway (1850)
“Ah! May the Red Rose Live Alway” completes the emotional arc of Yondering with its return to the theme of loss that was begun with its first song, “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair”. It is especially poignant coming as it does after the civil war song “That’s What’s the Matter”. The ballet makes clear that the act of yondering, with all its innocent hope and dreams of promise, is fraught with the potential for loss of innocence, poignantly described in the song’s refrain: “Why should the beautiful ever weep? Why should the beautiful die?”
Dedication to Jeffrey Kirk, NBS graduate (class of ’79)
Why should the innocent weep and why should the beautiful die, is a question that has been asked in relation to Jeffrey Kirk, NBS graduate from the class of ‘79, a beautiful young man who died much too soon. It was while visiting Jeffrey Kirk in Hamburg during the last days of his life that Mavis Staines got to know John Neumeier well and conceived of the idea of having him create a ballet for the students of Canada’s National Ballet School. The result was Yondering. For Mavis Staines, the spirit of Jeffrey Kirk was present throughout its creation and so she has dedicated its performances to his memory.
Ah, may the red rose live alway
To smile upon earth and sky!
Why should the beautiful ever weep?
Why should the beautiful die?
Lending a charm to ev'ry ray
That falls on her cheeks of light,
Giving the zephyr kiss for kiss,
And nursing the dewdrop bright
Ah! may the red rose live alway,
To smile upon earth and sky!
Why should the beautiful ever weep?
Why should the beautiful die?
Long may the daisies dance the field,
Frolicking far and near,
Why should the innocent hide their heads?
Why should the innocent fear?
Spreading their petals in mute delight
When mornin' its radiance breaks,
Keeping a floral festival
Till the night-loving primrose wakes
Long may the daisies dance the field,
Frolicking far and near,
Why should the innocent hide their heads?
Why should the innocent fear?