by Christopher Smart (1722 - 1771)
Against despair (Old Ralph in the wood)
Language: English
A raven once an Acorn took From Bashan's tallest stoutest tree; He hid it by a limpid brook, And liv'd another oak to see. Thus Melancholy buries Hope, Which Providence still keeps alive, And bids us with afflictions cope, And all anxiety survive.
Text Authorship:
- by Christopher Smart (1722 - 1771) [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 Conrad Susa (b. 1935), "Against despair (Old Ralph in the wood)", 1972 [medium voice and piano or harpsichord], from Hymns for the Amusement of Children, no. 3. [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-09-15
Line count: 8
Word count: 43