The Moon is distant from the Sea — And yet, with Amber Hands — She leads Him — docile as a Boy — Along appointed Sands — He never misses a Degree — Obedient to Her Eye He comes just so far — toward the Town — Just so far — goes away — Oh, Signor, Thine, the Amber Hand — And mine — the distant Sea — Obedient to the least command Thine eye impose on me —
Songs of Love and Longing
Song Cycle by Sheena Phillips (b. 1958)
1. The moon [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]2. It’s like the light [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
It's like the light, — A fashionless delight It's like the bee, — A dateless melody. It's like the woods, Private like breeze, Phraseless, yet it stirs The proudest trees. It's like the morning, — Best when it's done, — The everlasting clocks Chime noon.
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), "The Wind", appears in Poems: Third Series, in 3. Nature, no. 16
See other settings of this text.
Confirmed with Poems by Emily Dickinson. Third Series, ed by Mabel Loomis Todd, Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1896.
Text as set by Hawley:
It's like the Light -- A fashionless Delight -- It's like the Bee -- A dateless -- Melody -- It's like the Woods -- Private -- Like the Breeze -- Phraseless -- yet it stirs The proudest Trees -- It's like the Morning -- Best -- when it's done -- And the Everlasting Clocks -- Chime -- Noon!
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
3. Winter afternoons
Language: English
There’s a certain Slant of light, Winter Afternoons — That oppresses, like the Heft Of Cathedral Tunes — Heavenly Hurt, it gives us — We can find no scar, But internal difference, Where the Meanings, are — None may teach it — Any — ‘Tis the Seal Despair — An imperial affliction Sent us of the Air— When it comes, the Landscape listens — Shadows — hold their breath— When it goes, ‘tis like the Distance On the look of Death —
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) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , no title, copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
4. I went to heaven [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
I went to Heaven, - 'T was a small town. Lit with a ruby, Lathed with down. Stiller than the fields At the full dew, Beautiful as pictures No man drew. People like the moth, Of mechlin, frames, Duties of gossamer, And eider names. Almost contented I could be 'Mong such unique Society.
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), no title, appears in Poems: Second Series, first published 1891
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
5. Wild nights [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Wild nights! — Wild nights! Were I with thee, Wild nights should be Our luxury! Futile — the [Wind]1 — To a heart in port, — Done with the Compass, — Done with the Chart! Rowing in Eden — Ah! the Sea! Might I but moor — Tonight — In thee!
Text Authorship:
- by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886), appears in Poems: Second Series, first published 1891
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CHI Chinese (中文) (Mei Foong Ang) , copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Walter A. Aue) , "Sturmnacht! - Sturmnacht!", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Notti selvagge! Notti di tempesta!", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 note: sometimes "Winds". Harmer, Hoiby, Leisner, Rusche, A. Thomas: "Winds"
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]
Total word count: 310