by George William Russell (1867 - 1935)
Momentary
Language: English
The sweetest song was ever sung May soothe you but a little while: The gayest music ever rung Shall yield you but a fleeting smile. The well I digged you soon shall pass: You may but rest with me an hour: Yet drink, I offer you the glass, A moment of sustaining power, And give to you, if it be gain, Whether in pleasure or annoy, To see one elemental pain, One light of everlasting joy.
Text Authorship:
- by George William Russell (1867 - 1935), "Momentary", appears in Collected Poems, first published 1913 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Fritz Bennicke Hart (1874 - 1949), "Momentary", op. 29 (Seven Sets of Seven Songs, Set II) no. 4 (1918) [ voice and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2005-02-23
Line count: 12
Word count: 76