Song for voice and piano. From: Ten songs for voice and piano. Ten individual lyric songs written between 1967 and 1995 for varying ranges and abilities: now out of print as a collection, but songs can be supplied separately. Songs included are: To Music (Herrick), Pretty Ring Time (Shakespeare), I held love's head (Herrick), The Solitary Reaper (Wordsworth), To Violets (Herrick), The Winter Robin (Clare), Matin Song (Heywood), Come live with me and be my love (Marlowe), When I am dead (Rossetti), The Year's Awakening (Hardy).
When I am dead my dearest is a short song of dreamy sorrow and hope for voice and piano is a setting of words by Christina Rossetti. Its sustained and expressive vocal line, supported by rich harmony, make it a popular recital choice. The score contains versions in high and low keys, making it suitable for all voices.

When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.

Christina Rossetti (from Goblin Market and other Poems, published 1862)