by William Strode (1600? - 1645)
When whispering strains do softly steal
Language: English
When whispering strains do softly steal With creeping passion through the heart And when at every touch we feel Our pulses beat and bear a part; When threads can make A heartstring shake Philosophy Can scarce deny The soul consists of harmony. When unto heavenly joy we feign Whate'er the soul affecteth most, Which only thus we can explain By music of the wingèd host, Whose lays we think Make stars to wink, Philosophy Can scarce deny Our souls consist of harmony. O lull me, lull me, charming air, My senses rock with wonder sweet; Like snow on wool thy fallings are, Soft, like a spirit's, are thy feet: Grief who need fear That hath an ear? Down let him lie And slumbring die, And change his soul for harmony.
R. Holloway sets stanza 3 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
- by William Strode (1600? - 1645), "In commendation of music" [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 Robin Holloway (b. 1943), "The consolation of music", op. 38 no. 1b (1977) [ SATB chorus a cappella ], from The Consolation of Music, no. 2 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Robin Holloway (b. 1943), "The consolation of music", 1966, stanza 3 [ SATB chorus a cappella ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by John Theodore Livingston Raynor (1909 - 1970), "In Praise Of Music", op. 464 (1956) [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2012-02-19
Line count: 27
Word count: 130