Lament

"Lament" is a song by George Walker setting a poem of Countee Cullen. The song is included in George Walker's collection Nine Songs for Voice & Piano, published by Hal Leonard.

"Lament" was composed in 1971 and revised in 1994.

Date: 1971Composer: George WalkerText: Countee Cullen

Print vitals & song text

Text

Lament
by Countee Cullen

Now let all lovely things embark
Upon the sea of mist
With her whose luscious mouth the dark,
Grim troubadour has kissed.

The silver clock that ticked away
Her days, and never knew
Its beats were sword thrusts to the clay
That too much beauty slew.

The pillow favored with her tears
And hallowed by her head;
I shall not even keep my fears,
Now their concern is dead.

But where shall I bury sun and rain,
How mortalise the stars,
How still the half-heard cries of pain
That seared her soul with scars?

In what sea depths shall all the seeds
Of every flower die?
Where shall I scatter the broken reeds,
And how erase the sky?

And where shall I find a hole so deep
No troubled ghost may rise?
There will I put my head to sleep
Wanting her face and eyes.

Sheet Music

Nine Songs for Voice & Piano (includes "Lament")

Composer(s): George Walker

Buy via Sheet Music Plus

Support us and help us grow

Dear friends, Thank you for helping us build a comprehensive online archive of American song. Your gift is greatly appreciated.