No. 11 - Song - Zara

Lyrics by Adrian Ross

[Zara:] Long days ago in Granada
Zara, the Moorish maiden,
Looked down from her lattice on the city wall.
There was the bold Don Hernando
Fairest of all of the Spaniards
Riding in the meadow of Granada!
"Zara," said bold Don Hernando,
"Fairest of Moorish maidens!
For you I would give my life and soul and all!
I'd give my name and honour, too,
For but one little kiss from you,
My Zara, will you listen to my call?
Ah! Zara, fairest girl!
My Zara, rose of roses,
By the sun above, Zara, purest pearl!
I swear till lifetime closes
You shall be my love,
Will you listen?
All your silken tresses I would cover
With the fond caresses of a lover.
Ah! Ah! Fairest Zara, give me back my love."

Answered the maid of Granada,
"Go, gallant Don Hernando,
Your love I can never hear, so ride away!
You are a chief of the Spaniards
Coming to war with my people,
Fighting in the meadow of Granada!
But when the moon's in the heaven,
Come back, oh Don Hernando!
Our war will be over till the dawn of day
And Moorish maids and Spanish men
Are like all other lovers then,
And Zara will not hate you when you say,
Ah! Zara, fairest girl!
My Zara, rose of roses,
By the sun above, Zara, purest pearl!
I swear till lifetime closes
You shall be my love,
Will you listen?
All your silken tresses I would cover
With the fond caresses of a lover.
Ah! Ah! Fairest Zara, give me back my love."
[Girls:] For all your silken tresses I would cover
With the fond caresses of a lover.
[All:] Ah!