From Gitanjali

Song Cycle by Naresh Sohal (b. 1939)

1. Thou hast made me endless  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure. 
This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, 
and fillest it ever with fresh life.

This little flute of a reed 
thou hast carried over hills and dales, 
and hast breathed through it 
melodies eternally new.

At the immortal touch of thy hands 
my little heart loses its limits 
in joy and gives birth to utterance ineffable.

Thy infinite gifts come to me 
only on these very small hands of mine. 
Ages pass, and still thou pourest, 
and still there is room to fill.

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

2. When thou commandest me to sing  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
When thou commandest me to sing 
it seems that my heart would break with pride; 
and I look to thy face, and tears come to my eyes.

All that is harsh and dissonant in my life 
melts into one sweet harmony - 
and my adoration spreads wings like a glad bird 
on its flight across the sea.

I know thou takest pleasure in my singing. 
I know that only as a singer 
I come before thy presence.

I touch by the edge of the far-spreading wing 
of my song thy feet 
which I could never aspire to reach.

Drunk with the joy of singing I forget myself 
and call thee friend who art my lord.

Text Authorship:

Based on:

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) (Anonymous/Unidentified Artist)
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Quand tu m'ordonnes de chanter", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

3. I know not how thou singest  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
I know not how thou singest, my master! 
I ever listen in silent amazement.

The light of thy music illumines the world. 
The life breath of thy music runs from sky to sky. 
The holy stream of thy music breaks 
through all stony obstacles and rushes on.

My heart longs to join in thy song, 
but vainly struggles for a voice. 
I would speak, but speech breaks not into song, 
and I cry out baffled. 
Ah, thou hast made my heart captive 
in the endless meshes of thy music, my master!

Text Authorship:

Based on:

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) (Anonymous/Unidentified Artist)
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Je ne sais pas comment tu chantes, mon maître !", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 298