it may not always be so;and i say

it may not always be so;and i say 
that if your lips,which i have loved,should touch 
another's,and your dear strong fingers clutch 
his heart,as mine in time not fara away; 
if on another's face your sweet hair lay 
in such a silence as i know,or such 
great writhing words as,uttering overmuch, 
stand helplessly before the spirit at bay; 

if this should be,i say if this should be-- 
you of my heart,send me a little word; 
that i may go unto him,and take his hands, 
saying,Accept all happiness from me. 
Then shall i turn my face,and hear one bird 
sing terribly afar in the lost lands.

by E. E. (Edward Estlin) Cummings (1894-1962) , "it may not always be so;and i say", from Tulips and Chimneys, published 1923

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

by Gary Bachlund , "it may not always be so; and i say", 1983. [high voice and piano]
by Henk Badings (1907-1987) , "it may not always be so", from 8 songs, no. 3.
by William Laurence Bergsma (1921-1994) , "It may not always be so", published 1947 [tenor and piano], from Six Songs to Poems by E. E. Cummings, no. 5.
by Margaret Garwood , "It may not always be so", published 1963 [soprano and piano], from Lovesongs: 6 Songs to Poems of E. E. Cummings, no. ?

Date added to the website: 2007-05-12.

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