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by Emily Pauline Johnson (1861 - 1913)

The song my paddle sings
 (Sung text for setting by M. Emery)
 See original
Language: English 
West wind, blow from your prairie nest,
Blow from the mountains, blow from the west.
The sail is idle, the sailor too;
O wind of the west, we wait for you!
Blow, blow!
I have wooed you so,
But never a favor you bestow.
You rock your cradle the hills between,
But scorn to notice my white lateen.

 ... 

Be strong, O paddle! be brave, canoe!
The reckless waves you must plunge into.
Reel, reel,
On your trembling keel,
But never a fear my craft will feel.

We've raced the rapids; we're far ahead:
The river slips through its silent bed.
Sway, sway,
As the bubbles spray
And fall in tinkling tunes away.

And up on the hills against the sky,
A fir tree rocking its lullaby
Swings, swings,
Its emerald wings,
Swelling the song that my paddle sings.

Confirmed with Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. A Victorian Anthology, 1837-1895, 1895.

Composition:

    Set to music by Matthew Emery (b. 1991), "The song my paddle sings", 2012, stanzas 1,6-8 [ SATB chorus and SSAA chorus a cappella ]

Text Authorship:

  • by Emily Pauline Johnson (1861 - 1913), "The song my paddle sings"

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2013-09-13
Line count: 53
Word count: 300

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