Language: English 
I saw a peacock with a fiery tail,
I saw a blazing comet drop down hail,
I saw a cloud with ivy curled around,
I saw a sturdy oak creep on the ground,
I saw a pismire swallow up a whale,
I saw a raging sea brim full of ale!
I saw a Venice glass sixteen foot deep,
I saw a well full of mens' tears that weep,
I saw their eyes all in a flame of fire,
I saw a house, as big as the moon and higher,
I saw the sun, even in the midst of night,
I saw the man that saw this wondrous sight!

Composition:

    Set to music by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "I saw a peacock", 2011 [ high voice and piano ]

Text Authorship:

  • from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , written c1665, published in Westminster-Drollery, Or a Choice Collection of the Newest Songs & Poems Both at Court & Theaters, first published 1671

See other settings of this text.


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 109