Lori Laitman: Mystery (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


We will never walk again
As we used to walk at night,
Watching our shadows lengthen
Under the gold street-light
When the snow was new and white.
We will never walk again
Slowly, we two,
In spring when the park is sweet
With midnight and with dew,
And the passers-by are few.
I sit and think of it all,
And the blue June twilight dies,
Down in the clanging square
A street-piano cries
And stars come out in the skies.

2. Spray

Language: English

Authorship

Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)

Flame and Shadow

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I knew you thought of me all night,
I knew, though you were far away;
  I felt your love blow over me
  As if a dark wind-riven sea
Drenched me with quivering spray.

There are so many ways to love
And each way has its own delight --
  Then be content to come to me
  Only as spray the beating sea
Drives inland through the night.

3. The kiss

Language: English

Authorship

Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)

Helen of Troy and Other Poems

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I hoped that he would love me,
And he has kissed my mouth,
But I am like a stricken bird
That cannot reach the south.

For though I know he loves me,
To-night my heart is sad;
His kiss was not so wonderful
As all the dreams I had.

4. The mystery

Language: English

Authorship

Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)

Flame and Shadow


Your eyes drink of me,
Love makes them shine,
Your eyes that lean
So close to mine.
We have long been lovers,
We know the range
Of each other's moods
And how they change;
But when we look
At each other so
Then we feel
How little we know;
The spirit eludes us,
Timid and free  -- 
Can I ever know you
Or you know me?

5. The rose

Language: English

Authorship

Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)

Rivers to the Sea

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Beneath my chamber window
Pierrot was singing, singing;
      I heard his lute the whole night thru
        Until the east was red.
Alas, alas, Pierrot,
I had no rose for flinging
      Save one that drank my tears for dew
        Before its leaves were dead.

I found it in the darkness,
I kissed it once and threw it,
      The petals scattered over him,
        His song was turned to joy;
And he will never know --
Alas, the one who knew it! --
      The rose was plucked when dusk was dim
        Beside a laughing boy.