Each life converges to some centre

Each life converges to some centre
Expressed or still;
Exists in every human nature
A goal,

Admitted scarcely to itself, it may be,
Too fair
For credibility's temerity
To dare.

Adored with caution, as a brittle heaven,
To reach
Were hopeless as the rainbow's raiment
To touch,

Yet persevered toward, surer for the distance;
How high
Unto the saints' slow diligence
The sky!

Ungained, it may be, by a life's low venture,
But then,
Eternity enables the endeavoring
Again.

by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) , no title, from Poems by Emily Dickinson, published 1891

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

by Daniel Pinkham (1923-) , "Each life converges to some centre", published 1963 [SSAA chorus and piano or chamber orchestra], from An Emily Dickinson Mosaic, no. ?

ITA Italian (Ferdinando Albeggiani)

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

Gentle Reminder

This project is not funded. If you found the information here useful, please consider making a donation. Your gift is greatly appreciated!      - Emily I also have a wishlist at Amazon.ca.

Search/Shop for

Sheet music:

  Search sheetmusicplus.com for Each life converges to some centre, Art song , Lieder, chansons, or works for solo voice
  Search musicroom.com for Each life converges to some centre, vocal/choral music

CDs:

  Search amazon.com for Each life converges to some centre, art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for Each life converges to some centre, art song, Lieder, or chansons

Books:

  The Art of the Song Recital [amazon.com]
  The Book of Lieder: The Original Texts of Over 1000 Songs [amazon.com]
  Search amazon.com for art song, Lieder, or chansons
  Search amazon.ca for art song, lieder, or chansons

Classical Vocal Repertoire