Two Sets of Five Songs Each. Set II: Tukaram: Songs from Prison

by Fritz Bennicke Hart (1874 - 1949)

1. What words, what speech  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
What words, what speech, 
Can tell the joy of those who know our God? 

Their life is lived 
Not for themselves, but for the need of men: 

In others’ service 
They suffer arduous adversity: 

Mercy towards all that lives — 
This is their spiritual substance: 

They give no second thought 
To what may benefit themselves: 

Their bliss they find in others’ bliss alone: 
And all unknowingly 
They hand to other men the draught immortal.

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Confirmed with Songs from Prison. Translations of Indian Lyrics Made in Jail by M. K. Gandhi, adapted for the Press by John S. Hoyland, New York, The MacMillan Company, 1934, page 143.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

2. In this one word  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
In this one word 
Lies essence of the everlasting Truth, 
Truth behind Scripture, 
Truth deeper than inspired teachers’ song, 
Truth brighter than all holy men’s most ardent vision: — 

“Seek God, take refuge safe in him, 
Cleave to his love and praise his name, with all thy heart.”

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Confirmed with Songs from Prison. Translations of Indian Lyrics Made in Jail by M. K. Gandhi, adapted for the Press by John S. Hoyland, New York, The MacMillan Company, 1934, page 146.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

3. This is my last petition  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
This is my last petition: — 

My God, who knowest all. 
Be very near to me: 

Send down thy grace, thy love, 
As here my soul, adoring, 
Bows at thy feet: 

This, this is all I need, 
Thyself, thy grace.

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Confirmed with Songs from Prison. Translations of Indian Lyrics Made in Jail by M. K. Gandhi, adapted for the Press by John S. Hoyland, New York, The MacMillan Company, 1934, page 150.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

3. This is my last petition  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
This is my last petition: — 

My God, who knowest all. 
Be very near to me: 

Send down thy grace, thy love, 
As here my soul, adoring, 
Bows at thy feet: 

This, this is all I need, 
Thyself, thy grace.

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Confirmed with Songs from Prison. Translations of Indian Lyrics Made in Jail by M. K. Gandhi, adapted for the Press by John S. Hoyland, New York, The MacMillan Company, 1934, page 30.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

4. The heart of mine is fixed and set  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
This heart of mine is fixed and set: 

Life holds, for me, 
Nought beyond this: 

One end and object is there only 
Of all my thought, my aspiration: 

Awake, or dreaming, 
One vision only do I see: 

Body and soul 
One yearning fills me wholly: 

God: 

And I — 
Ah wonder, even I — 
Have seen him.

Text Authorship:

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Confirmed with Songs from Prison. Translations of Indian Lyrics Made in Jail by M. K. Gandhi, adapted for the Press by John S. Hoyland, New York, The MacMillan Company, 1934, page 146.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

5. He, he alone is God's true worshipper  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
He, he alone, 
Is God’s true worshipper, 
Who layeth all desire from him, 
And hath this aim alone 
God and God’s praise: 

From that high quest 
Neither by wealth, nor friends, nor parents, 
Shall such a soul be turned aside: 

With this one Friend to strengthen him 
No pain, no grief can crush his soul: 

His purpose is not moved: 
Straightforward goeth he 
To God, with God: 

The Living Truth 
In all his doings leadeth him.

Text Authorship:

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Confirmed with Songs from Prison. Translations of Indian Lyrics Made in Jail by M. K. Gandhi, adapted for the Press by John S. Hoyland, New York, The MacMillan Company, 1934, page 145.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 339