Two Whitman Songs

Song Cycle by Leslie Kleen (b. 1942)

1. Out of the Rolling Ocean  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Out of the rolling ocean the crowd came a drop gently to me,
Whispering, I love you, before long I die,
I have travell'd a long way merely to look on you to touch you,
For I could not die till I once look'd on you,
For I fear'd I might afterward lose you.

Now we have met, we have look'd, we are safe,
Return in peace to the ocean my love,
I too am part of that ocean, my love, we are not so much separated,
Behold the great rondure, the cohesion of all, how perfect!
But as for me, for you, the irresistible sea is to separate us,
As for an hour carrying us diverse, yet cannot carry us diverse forever;
Be not impatient -- a little space  -- 
  know you I salute the air, the ocean and the land,
Every day at sundown for your dear sake, my love.

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Portions of this text were used in Idyll by Frederick Delius.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 150