I am black but comely, daughters of Jerusalem; Beautiful as the desert tents of Kedar, Beautiful as the curtains of Solomon. I have stripped of my dress; Must I put it on again? I have washed my feet; Must I soil them again? Who am I, rising as the dawn? Fair as the moon? Clear as the sun? Terrible as an army with banners? Tell me, you whom my soul loves, Where will you lead your flocks to graze? Where will you rest at noon?
From the Song of Songs
Song Cycle by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947)
1. I am black but comely  [sung text checked 1 time]
Authorship:
- by Bible or other Sacred Texts [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in Latin by Bible or other Sacred Texts , appears in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis (Song of Songs of Solomon), no. 1
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Note: texts compiled by Julie Dalton WilliamsonResearcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
2. My Love  [sung text checked 1 time]
You are wholly beautiful, my love, Beautiful and without blemish. You ravish my heart With a single one of your glances. Your lips are as a thread of scarlet, Honey and milk Are under your tongue. The scent of your garments Is the scent of Lebanon And of cedar.
Authorship:
- by Bible or other Sacred Texts [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in Latin by Bible or other Sacred Texts , appears in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis (Song of Songs of Solomon), no. 4
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Note: texts compiled by Julie Dalton WilliamsonResearcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
3. I am sick with love  [sung text checked 1 time]
While I slept by night on my bed, My heart was a wake. I dreamed that my love had turned away, And gone by. I rose and went through the city, Among the streets and through the broad ways. I sought him, whom my soul loves; I sought him, but did not find him. I called him, but he gave no answer. To the watchmen, I said, "Have you seen him, whom my soul loves?" They smote me; they wounded me. the keepers of the walls took my veil from me. I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you should see my love, Tell him I am sick with love. While I slept by night on my bed, My heart was awake. I dreamed that my love had turned away, And gone by. I found him; I held him and Would not let him go.
Authorship:
- by Bible or other Sacred Texts [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in Latin by Bible or other Sacred Texts , no title, appears in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis (Song of Songs of Solomon), no. 5
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Note: texts compiled by Julie Dalton WilliamsonResearcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
4. Return!  [sung text checked 1 time]
My love is mine, and I am his; He delights in the lilies. Before the dawn wind rises, Before the shadows flee, return! Return, and be, my love, As the gazelle, The young stag On the hills of Beter, Where the cinnamon grows.
Authorship:
- by Bible or other Sacred Texts [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in Latin by Bible or other Sacred Texts , no title, appears in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis (Song of Songs of Solomon), no. 2
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Note: texts compiled by Julie Dalton WilliamsonResearcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
5. A Seal Upon Your Heart  [sung text checked 1 time]
Set me as a seal upon your heart; Close your heart to every love But mine. Set me as a seal upon your arms; Hold no one in your arms But me. For love is strong as death; And passion, Relentless as the grave. It bursts into flames, and burns As the raging fire. For many waters cannot quench love. Neither can the floods drown it. Set me, then, as a seal upon your heart; Close your heart to every love But mine. Set me as a seal upon your arms; Hold no one in your arms But me.
Authorship:
- by Bible or other Sacred Texts [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in Latin by Bible or other Sacred Texts , appears in Canticum Canticorum Salomonis (Song of Songs of Solomon), no. 8
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Note: from verses 6 and 7.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]