Hebrew Melodies is a collection of poems by Lord Byron, published in 1815 with music arranged by the composer Isaac Nathan. Many of the poems retell stories from the Hebrew Bible, while others are love lyrics. The collection opens with She Walks in Beauty, one of the most famous short poems in English.
A musical project
Isaac Nathan, a young composer, asked Byron to write words for melodies he presented as traditional songs of the synagogue. Byron agreed and wrote about thirty poems.
The songs were published in two parts with Nathan's music, and the poems also appeared in a separate edition of the words alone.
Biblical subjects
Several poems take up episodes of the Bible: Saul consulting the witch of Endor, Jephthah's daughter, the destruction of Sennacherib's army.
The Destruction of Sennacherib, with its galloping rhythm, became a favourite recitation piece in schools for generations.
She Walks in Beauty
The opening poem was inspired by Byron's cousin by marriage, Anne Wilmot, whom he had seen at a ball wearing a black mourning dress set with spangles.
Its harmony of light and darkness, outer beauty and inner goodness, makes it one of the most quoted love poems in the language.
Anecdotes
A wedding year
Hebrew Melodies appeared in 1815, the year of Byron's marriage to Annabella Milbanke, which broke down within a year.
Nathan's memories
Isaac Nathan later published a book of recollections of Byron, describing their work together and the poet's interest in the project.
Frequently asked questions
When was Hebrew Melodies published?
In 1815.
Who wrote the music?
The composer Isaac Nathan.
Which famous poem opens the collection?
She Walks in Beauty.