by John Davidson (1857 - 1909)
To the generation knocking at the door
Language: English
Break -- break it open; let the knocker rust; Consider no "Shalt not," nor no man's "must"; And, being entered, promptly take the lead, Setting aside tradition, custom, creed; Nor watch the balance of the huckster's beam; Declare your hardiest thought, your proudest dream; Await no summons; laugh at all rebuff; High hearts and you are destiny enough. The mystery and the power enshrined in you Are old as time and as the moment new; And none but you can tell what part you play, Nor can you tell until you make essay, For this alone, this always, will succeed, The miracle and magic of the deed.
First published in Glasgow Evening News, March 1905
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Text Authorship:
- by John Davidson (1857 - 1909), "To the generation knocking at the door" [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 Ronald Stevenson (b. 1928), "To the generation knocking at the door", 1974 [baritone and piano], from Songs of Quest [ sung text not verified ]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2009-01-14
Line count: 14
Word count: 106