Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SONGSTER, by EMILY PAULINE JOHNSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SONGSTER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Of a plaintive note, and long
Last Line: That his breast was born for song.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tekahionwake
Subject(s): Birds; May (month); Robins; Singing & Singers; Spring; Songs


OF A plaintive note, and long;
'Tis a note no human throat could sing,
No harp with its dulcet golden string,—
Nor lute, nor lyre with liquid ring,
Is sweet as the robin's song.

MUSIC, music with throb and swing,

He sings for love of the season
When the days grow warm and long,
For the beautiful God-sent reason
That his breast was born for song.

Calling, calling so fresh and clear,
Through the song-sweet days of May;
Warbling there, and whistling here,
He swells his voice on the drinking ear,
On the great, wide, pulsing atmosphere
Till his music drowns the day.

He sings for love of the season
When the days grow warm and long,
For the beautiful God-sent reason
That his breast was born for song.





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