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.
Six Songs on Poems of Emily Dickinson
Song Cycle by Jitka Koželuhová (b. 1966)
1. I shall not live in vain [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title, appears in Poems of Emily Dickinson, first published 1890
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , appears in Kinder-Lieder, in 2. Lieder und Bilder aus der Natur, copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Se riuscirò a impedire", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
2. If love... [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
To wait an Hour — is long — If Love be just beyond — To wait Eternity — is short — If Love reward the end —
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]3. ...how noteless... [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
How noteless Men, and Pleiads, stand, Until a sudden sky Reveals the fact that One is rapt Forever from the Eye — Members of the Invisible, Existing, while we stare, In Leagueless Opportunity, O'ertakenless, as the Air — Why didn't we detain Them? The Heavens with a smile, Sweep by our disappointed Heads Without a syllable —
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]4. The soul [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
The soul selects her own society, Then shuts [the door; On her divine majority Obtrude]2 no more. Unmoved, she notes the [chariot's]2 pausing At her low gate; Unmoved, an emperor is kneeling Upon her mat. I've known her from an ample nation Choose one; Then close the valves of her attention Like stone.
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title, appears in Poems of Emily Dickinson, first published 1890
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , no title, copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 Getty: "the door,/ To her divine majority/ Present"
2 Getty: "chariots"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
5. Hope
— Tacet —
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6. Poverty [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Your Riches — taught me — Poverty. Myself — a Millionaire In little Wealths, as Girls could boast Till broad as Buenos Ayre — You drifted your Dominions — A Different Peru — And I esteemed All Poverty For Life's Estate with you — Of Mines, I little know — myself — But just the names, of Gems — The Colors of the Commonest — And scarce of Diadems — So much, that did I meet the Queen — Her Glory I should know — But this, must be a different Wealth — To miss it — beggars so — I'm sure 'tis India — all Day — To those who look on You — Without a stint — without a blame, Might I — but be the Jew — I'm sure it is Golconda — Beyond my power to deem — To have a smile for Mine — each Day, How better, than a Gem! At least, it solaces to know That there exists — a Gold — Altho' I prove it, just in time Its distance — to behold — Its far — far Treasure to surmise — And estimate the Pearl — That slipped my simple fingers through — While just a Girl at School.
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]Total word count: 388