by William Sharp (1855 - 1905), as Fiona Macleod
The Song of the Sea Wind
Language: English
King of the winds, O Wind of the Sea, When thou sweepest abroad thy voice crieth; Crieth the anguish of living souls As with the wild storm-rapt soughing of the oaks. Breath of the world, O bitter breath, King of the winds, O Wind of the Sea! King of the winds, O Wind of the Sea, Hitherward blow, by our doors, through our souls. Blow, blow, Euroclydon . . . and as dead leaves Whirl seaward vain hopes and perishing dreams. Breath of the world, O bitter breath, King of the winds, O Wind of the Sea! King of the winds, O Wind of the Sea, Uplift us, resurge us out with thy waves, Out on thine infinite heaving breast Where not a wave breaks but is higher than hope. Breath of the world, O bitter breath, King of the winds, O Wind of the Sea! King of the winds, O Wind of the Sea, In the sweep and shadow of mighty wings Whirl far this Dream that is life, afar To the Shores of joy or the Coasts of Night. Breath of the world, O bitter breath, King of the winds, O Wind of the Sea King of the winds, O Wind of the Sea, Before thee my heart bows, for it may be that God -- Yea, that it is Thee, O God, who Passeth by, Voicing Thy Word to our souls out of infinite space -- Eternal Breath, O bitter-sweet Breath, Lord of all winds, O Wind of the Sea!
Text Authorship:
- by William Sharp (1855 - 1905), as Fiona Macleod, "The Song of the Sea-Wind", appears in Poems, first published 1912 [author's text not yet checked 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 Arthur Shepherd (1880 - 1958), "The Song of the Sea Wind", published 1915. [SSA chorus and piano] [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-08-18
Line count: 30
Word count: 251