I Strolled Across an Open Field

"I Strolled Across an Open Field" is the second song in Ned Rorem's song set Two Poems of Theodore Roethke.

Date: 1969Composer: Ned RoremText: Theodore RoethkeSong Collection: Two Poems of Theodore Roethke

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Text

“The Waking”
by Theodore Roethke

I strolled across
An open field;
The sun was out;
Heat was happy.

This way! This way!
The wren’s throat shimmered,
Either to other,
The blossoms sang.

The stones sang,
The little ones did,
And the flowers jumped
Like small goats.

A ragged fringe
Of daisys waved;
I wasn’t alone
In a grove of apples.

Far in the wood
A nestling sighed;
The dew loosened
Its morning smells.

I came where the river
Ran over stones:
My ears knew
An early joy.

And all the waters
Of all the streams
Sang in my veins
That summer day.

Sheet Music

Two Poems of Theodore Roethke

Composer(s): Ned Rorem

Song(s): 1. Orchids
2. I Strolled Across an Open Field

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