Alfred Edward Housman: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

In valleys of springs of rivers

Alfred Edward Housman

“In valleys of springs of rivers” as printed in A Shropshire Lad (1896).

Alfred Edward Housman: Collected Lyrics Text 16 1896 · historical text
Public domainSong lyricsVictorian song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from A Shropshire Lad, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Clunton and Clunbury,

Clungunford and Clun,

Are the quietest places

Under the sun.

Verse 2

In valleys of springs of rivers,

By Ony and Teme and Clun,

The country for easy livers,

The quietest under the sun,

Verse 3

We still had sorrows to lighten,

One could not be always glad,

And lads knew trouble at Knighton

When I was a Knighton lad.

Verse 4

By bridges that Thames runs under,

In London, the town built ill,

'T is sure small matter for wonder

If sorrow is with one still.

Verse 5

And if as a lad grows older

The troubles he bears are more,

He carries his griefs on a shoulder

That handselled them long before.

Verse 6

Where shall one halt to deliver

This luggage I 'd lief set down?

Not Thames, not Teme is the river,

Nor London nor Knighton the town:

Verse 7

'T is a long way further than Knighton,

A quieter place than Clun,

Where doomsday may thunder and lighten

And little 't will matter to one.

Credits

Written by Alfred Edward Housman

Words by Alfred Edward Housman. Historical text published in A Shropshire Lad (1896); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

A Shropshire Lad (1896), “In valleys of springs of rivers”

A. E. Housman (1859-1936) died more than 89 years ago; his works entered the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions in 2007, and the 1896 first edition is in the public domain in the United States. Entries credited to other hands are held unless their author died more than 70 years ago.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-27. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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