Amy Woodforde-Finden
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Amy Woodford-Finden (born 1860 in Valparaiso, Chile - died March 13, 1919 in London) was the wife of an Indian army officer who is best known for writing the music to "The Kashmiri Song" from The Four Indian Love Lyrics, featuring lyrics by Laurence Hope (born Adela Florence Cory (1865-1904)).
The daughter of an Indian army officer and later the wife of a Bengal army officer, this experience with India was responsible for the composition of The Kashmiri Song in 1903. Originally Woodford-Finden could not interest any publishers, including Boosey & Co., in the cycle, so she published the songs herself. They were performed widely by Hamilton Earle who was able to use his influence so that eventually the songs were published by Boosey.
- Kashmiri Song
- Pale hands I loved beside the Shalimar,
- Where are you now? Who lies beneath your spell?
- Whom do you lead on Rapture's roadway, far,
- Before you agonise them in farewell?
- Pale hands, pink-tipped, like lotus-buds that float
- On those cool waters where we used to dwell,
- I would have rather felt you round my throat
- Crushing out life than waving me farewell!