Four Songs

Song Cycle by Bainbridge Crist (1883 - 1969)

Word count: 191

1. Yesteryear  [sung text not yet checked]

— This text is not currently
in the database but will be added
as soon as we obtain it. —

Authorship

2. April Rain  [sung text not yet checked]

Fall, rain! You are the blood of coming blossom,
You shall be music in the young birds' throats,
You shall be breaking, soon, in silver notes;
A virgin laughter in the young earth's bosom.
Oh, that I could with you reënter earth,
Pass through her heart and come again to sun,
Out of her fertile dark to sing and run 
In loveliness and fragrance of new mirth!

Fall, rain! Into the dust I go with you,
Pierce the remaining snows with subtle fire,
Warming the frozen roots with soft desire,
Dreams of ascending leaves and flowers new.
I am no longer body, -- I am blood
Seeking for some new loveliness of shape;
Dark loveliness that dreams of new escape,
The sun-surrender of unclosing bud.
Take me, O Earth! and make me what you will;
I feel my heart with mingled music fill.

Authorship

First published in Atlantic Monthly, 1916, p. 599

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

3. To the water nymphs  [sung text not yet checked]

Reach, with your whiter hands, to me
Some crystal of the spring;
And I about the cup shall see
Fresh lilies flourishing.
Or else, sweet nymphs, do you but this,
To th' glass your lips incline;
And I shall see by that one kiss
The water turn'd to wine.

Authorship

See other settings of this text.

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

4. Butterflies  [sung text not yet checked]

— This text is not currently
in the database but will be added
as soon as we obtain it. —

Authorship

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Based on

Go to the single-text view