When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d Roger Sessions

[SOPRANO]
When lilacs last in the door-yard bloom'd
And the great star early droop'd in the western sky in the night
I mourn'd—and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring

[BARITONE]
O ever-returning spring! trinity sure to me you bring;
Lilac blooming perennial, and drooping star in the west
And thought of him I love

[Chorus]
O powerful, western, fallen star!
O shades of night! O moody, tearful night!
O great star disappear'd! O the black murk that hides the star!
O cruel hands that hold me powerless! O helpless soul of me!
O harsh surrounding cloud, that will not free my soul!

[BARITONE]
In the door-yard fronting an old farm-house, near the white-wash'd palings
Stands the lilac bush, tall-growing, with heart-shaped leaves of rich green
With many a pointed blossom, rising, delicate, with the perfume strong I love
With ev'ry leaf a miracle . . . . and from this bush
A sprig, with its flower, I break

[SOPRANO]
In the swamp, in secluded recesses
A shy and hidden bird
Solitary, the thrush
The hermit
Sings by himself a song
Song of the bleeding throat!
Death's outlet song of life— (for well, dear brother, I know
If thou wast not gifted to sing, thou would'st surely die.)