Clouds (Brooke, set by W. Wordsworth, I. Gurney) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


Down the blue night th'unending columns press
in noiseless tumult, break and wave and flow,
now tread the far south, or lift rounds of snow
up to the white moon's hidden loveliness.
Some pause in their grave wandering, comradeless,
and turn with profound gesture vague and slow,
as who would pray good for the world, but know
their benediction empty as they bless.
They say that the Dead die not, but remain
near to the rich heirs of their grief and mirth.
I think they ride the calm mid-heaven, as these
in wise majestic melancholy train,
and watch the moon, and the still raging seas,
and men, coming and going on the earth.

First published in Poetry and Drama, December 1913.

Input by John Versmoren

Authorship

Rupert Brooke (1887-1915)

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

Ivor Gurney (1890-1937)

Five Songs

William B. Wordsworth (1908-1988)

Three songs

Date added to the website: 2004-07-07.

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