by Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830 - 1894)
The first spring day Matches original text
Language: English
I wonder if the sap is stirring yet, If wintry birds are dreaming of a mate, If frozen snowdrops feel as yet the sun And crocus fires are kindling one by one: Sing, robin, sing; I still am sore in doubt concerning Spring. I wonder if the springtide of this year Will bring another Spring both lost and dear; If heart and spirit will find out their Spring, Or if the world alone will bud and sing: Sing, hope, to me; Sweet notes, my hope, soft notes for memory. The sap will surely quicken soon or late, The tardiest bird will twitter to a mate; So Spring must dawn again with warmth and bloom, Or in this world, or in the world to come: Sing, voice of Spring, Till I too blossom and rejoice and sing.
Composition:
- Set to music by Robert Hugill , "The first spring day" [ mezzo-soprano, viola, piano ], from Quickening, no. 6
Text Authorship:
- by Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830 - 1894), "The first spring day", appears in Goblin Market and other Poems, first published 1862
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2006-01-19
Line count: 18
Word count: 136