Power eternal, power unknown, uncreate 
Force of force, fate of fate.
Beauty and light are thy seeing, 
Wisdom and right thy decreeing, 
Life of life is thy being. 
In the smile of thine infinite starry gleam, 
Without beginning or end, 
Measure or number, 
Beyond time and space, 
Without foe or friend, 
In the void of thy formless embrace, 
All things pass as a dream 
Of thine unbroken slumber. 

About the headline (FAQ)

First published in Cornhill Magazine, September 1898

Text Authorship:

• by Robert Seymour Bridges (1844 - 1930), no title, appears in A Hymn of Nature, no. 1 [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

• by John (Nicholson) Ireland (1879 - 1962), "Power eternal, power unknown, uncreate", 1947-48, first performed 1948 [chorus and instrumental ensemble], from the cantata Man in his labour rejoiceth, no. 1, note: for 9 choirs, 4 pipe bands, and 8 colliery brass bands; the brass band parts were lost and replaced by new ones recreated by Andrew Duncan for a new edition published in 2012 by The Music Company (UK) Ltd [ sung text not verified ]

This text (or a part of it) is used in a work

• by Cyril Stanley Christopher (1897 - ?), "A Hymn of Nature", c1940. [soprano, baritone, chorus, and orchestra]
  • Go to the full setting text.
    
• by Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, Sir (1848 - 1918), "A Song of Darkness and Light", published 1898. [soprano, SATB chorus, and orchestra]
  • Go to the full setting text.
    

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2009-01-29
Line count: 13
Word count: 68