Hymns and Responses , opus 68

by Vincent Persichetti (1915 - 1987)

3. Robin  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

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5. Star

Language: English 
purer than purest pure
 . . . . . . . . . .

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19.
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
 ... 

 ... 
The heart can push the sea and land
Farther away on either hand;
The soul can split the sky in two,
And let the face of God shine through.
But East and West will pinch the heart
That can not keep them pushed apart;
And he whose soul is flat -- the sky
Will cave in on him by and by.

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25. Prayer for this house  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
May nothing evil cross this door,
And may ill fortune never pry
About these windows; may the roar
And rain go by.

Strengthened by faith, these rafters will
Withstand the batt'ring of the storm;
This hearth, through all the world grow chill,
Will keep us warm.

Peace shall walk softly through these rooms,
Touching our lips with holy wine,
Till ev'ry casual corner blooms
Into a shine.

Laughter shall drown the raucous shout;
And, though these shelt'ring wall are thin,
May they be strong to keep hate out
And hold love in.

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