Answer to a Child's Question
by Samuel Coleridge (poem dated 1802)
as set to music by Leonard Lehrman, op.48 for Coloratura Soprano
and Woodwind Quintet or Piano 5/78 2 min.
prem. by Karen Smith (Emerson) with piano at Steinway, NYC 3/11/79;
prem. by Janis Sabatino Hills with woodwind quintet, Heckscher Park, Huntington, NY 8/6/98

posted online:

sung by Elizabeth Parcell, accompanied by Leonard Lehrman, Augsburg, Germany (7/21/80)

Answer to a Child's Question

Do you ask what the birds say? The Sparrow, the Dove,
The Linnet and Thrush say, "I love and I love!"
In the winter they're silent--the wind is so strong;
What it says, I don't know, but it sings a loud song.
But green leaves, and blossoms, and sunny warm weather,
And singing, and loving-all come back together.
But the Lark is so brimful of gladness and love,
The green fields below him, the blue sky above,
That he sings, and he sings; and for ever sings he--
"I love my Love, and my Love loves me!"