Songs of Innocence | Songs of Experience

Song Cycle by Evan Williams (b. 1988)

11. Part II: A Divine Image  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Cruelty has a human heart,
 And Jealousy a human face,
Terror the human form divine,
 And Secrecy the human dress.

The human dress is forgèd iron,
 The human form a fiery forge,
The human face a furnace seal'd,
 The human heart its hungry gorge.

Text Authorship:

  • by William Blake (1757 - 1827), "A divine image", written 1791-4, possibly intended for Songs of Experience

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Researcher for this page: Ted Perry

12. Part II: The Voice of the Ancient Bard  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Youth of delight, come hither,
And see the opening morn,
Image of truth new-born.
Doubt is fled, and clouds of reason,
Dark disputes and artful teasing.
Folly is an endless maze,
Tangled roots perplex her ways.
How many have fallen there!
They stumble all night over bones of the dead,
And feel they know not what but care,
And wish to lead others, when they should be led.

Text Authorship:

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 112