And heaven had wanted one immortal song.

And heaven had wanted one immortal song.

Such songs have power to quiet
The restless pulse of care,
And come like the benediction
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Such songs have power to quiet
The restless pulse of care,
And come like the benediction
That follows after prayer.

All this for a song.

All this for a song.

I can not sing the old songs now!
It is not that I deem them low,
'Tis read more

I can not sing the old songs now!
It is not that I deem them low,
'Tis that I can't remember how
They go.

The song is ended / But the melody lingers on.

The song is ended / But the melody lingers on.

I cannot sing the old songs
Though well I know the tune,
Familiar as a cradle-song
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I cannot sing the old songs
Though well I know the tune,
Familiar as a cradle-song
With sleep-compelling croon;
Yet though I'm filled with music,
As choirs of summer birds,
"I cannot sing the old songs"--
I do not know the words.

We are tenting tonight on the old camp ground,
Give us a song to cheer.

We are tenting tonight on the old camp ground,
Give us a song to cheer.

He play'd an ancient ditty long since mute,
In Provence call'd, "La belle dame sans merci."

He play'd an ancient ditty long since mute,
In Provence call'd, "La belle dame sans merci."

The lively Shadow-World of Song.

The lively Shadow-World of Song.