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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IN NEW YORK: 2. THE SONG YOU LOVE, by WILLIAM ALEXANDER PERCY Poet's Biography
First Line: When I have sung the sweet songs and the sad
Last Line: Restless with words it could not sing.
Subject(s): New York City; Singing & Singers; Soul; Manhattan; New York, New York; The Big Apple
First Line: When I have sung the sweet songs and the sad
Last Line: Restless with words it could not sing.
Subject(s): New York City; Singing & Singers; Soul; Manhattan; New York, New York; The Big Apple
When I have sung the sweet songs and the sad,
The songs of magic drifting from above,
The trumpet songs that shout across men's souls,
The sleep-song, breasted softer than the dove,
Still there will be one song I have not sung --
The song you love, the song you love.
What are the torches of the world to you,
The words that comfort men and calm their fears?
What are the stars with their strange harmonies,
Or fate that shadows all, or death that jeers?
There must be laughter in the song you love
And at the end there must be tears.
When I have come to that green place we know
Where cedars stand that have no faith in spring,
Where through the utter peace of afternoon
The mocking-birds their heartless raptures fling,
Long after it is dust, one heart there'll be
Restless with words it could not sing.
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