Verses from the Tentmaker

Song Cycle by Michael Richard Miller (b. 1932)

1. Into this universe  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Into this Universe, and why not knowing,
Nor whence, like Water willy-nilly flowing:
And out of it, as Wind along the Waste,
I know not whither, willy-nilly blowing.

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

2. Myself when young  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Myself when young did eagerly frequent
Doctor and Saint and heard great argument
About it and about: but evermore
Came out by that same door as in I went.

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Researcher for this page: Barbara Miller

3. Then to the Lip  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Then to the Lip of this poor earthen Urn
I lean'd, the secret Well of Life to learn:
And Lip to Lip it murmur'd -- "While you live,
"Drink ! -- for, once dead, you never shall return."

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4. Scene of the wine pots

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5. For has not such a story  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
[For]1 has not such a Story from of Old
Down Man's successive generations roll'd
Of such a clod of saturated Earth
Cast by the Maker into Human mould?

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1 fourth edition: "And"

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

6. Recitative

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7. Duet

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8. The worldly hope  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
The worldly hope men set their Hearts upon
Turns Ashes, or it prospers; and anon
Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty face,
Lighting a little hour or two -- [is]1 gone.

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1 Fitzgerald has "was" in the second and third editions.

Researcher for this page: Barbara Miller

9. Final scene

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Total word count: 150