In ways of beauty and peace 
Fair desire, companion of man, 
Leadeth the children of earth. 
As when the storm doth cease, 
The loving sun the clouds dispelleth, 
And woodland walks are sweet in spring; 
The birds they merrily sing 
And every flower-bud swelleth. 
Or where the heav'ns o'erspan 
The lonely downs 
When summer is high: 
Below their breezy crowns 
And grassy steep 
Spreadeth the infinite smile of the sunlit sea; 
Whereon the white ships swim, 
And steal to havens far 
Across the horizon dim, 
Or lie becalm'd upon the windless deep, 
Like thoughts of beauty and peace, 
When the storm doth cease, 
And fair desire, companion of man, 
Leadeth the children of earth.

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. 3 [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), "In ways of beauty and peace", 1947-48, first performed 1948 [chorus and instrumental ensemble], from the cantata Man in his labour rejoiceth, no. 3, 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: 22
Word count: 114