Life and Phantasy by William Allingham: With frontispiece by Sir John E. Millais: A design by Arthur H. Hughes and a song for voice and piano forte |
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THE GENERAL CHORUS. |
 | Life and Phantasy |  |
156
THE GENERAL CHORUS.
We all keep step to the marching chorus,
Rising from millions of men around.
Millions have march'd to the same before us,
Millions come on, with a sea-like sound.
Life, Death; Life, Death;
Such is the song of human breath.
Rising from millions of men around.
Millions have march'd to the same before us,
Millions come on, with a sea-like sound.
Life, Death; Life, Death;
Such is the song of human breath.
What is this multitudinous chorus,
Wild, monotonous, low, and loud?
Earth we tread on, Heaven that's o'er us?
I in the midst of the moving crowd?
Life, Death; Life, Death;
What is this burden of human breath?
Wild, monotonous, low, and loud?
Earth we tread on, Heaven that's o'er us?
I in the midst of the moving crowd?
Life, Death; Life, Death;
What is this burden of human breath?
On with the rest, your footsteps timing!
Mystical music flows in the song,
(Blent with it?—Born from it?)—loftily chiming,
Tenderly soothing, it bears you along.
Life, Death; Life, Death;
Strange is the chant of human breath!
Mystical music flows in the song,
(Blent with it?—Born from it?)—loftily chiming,
Tenderly soothing, it bears you along.
Life, Death; Life, Death;
Strange is the chant of human breath!
| Life and Phantasy | |