The Lake Isle of Innisfree

SATB & piano

This peaceful and meditative work sets William Butler Yeats’ classic poem, The Lake Isle of Innisfree. Underpinned by a balladic piano accompaniment, the flowing vocal lines convey a message of longing and hopefulness. Rich, evocative harmonies capture the idyllic solace of nature described in Yeats’ verse. Also available in a version for TTBB.

  • Lyrics

    I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made: Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee; And live alone in the bee-loud glade. And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow, And evening full of the linnet’s wings. I will arise and go now, for always night and day I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore; While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey, I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

    William Butler Yeats

Published by Oxford University Press

The Lake Isle of Innisfree cover image

Duration: 3 minutes
Published: 2025
ISBN: 9780193577725

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