Peace by Henry Vaughan
My soul, there is a country
Far beyond the stars,
Where stands a wingèd sentry
All skillful in the wars :
There, above noise and danger,
Sweet Peace sits crown’d with smiles,
And One born in a manger
Commands the beauteous files.
He is thy gracious Friend,
And—O my soul awake !—
Did in pure love descend,
To die here for thy sake.
If thou canst get but thither,
There grows the flower of Peace,
The Rose that cannot wither,
Thy fortress, and thy ease.
Leave then thy foolish ranges ;
For none can thee secure,
But One, who never changes,
Thy God, thy life, thy cure.
Michelle – what a great choice and for the second week running your poem has been set to music by Charles Parry. It is a really inspiring piece to sing. I first came across it when I sang in Queens’ College Chapel Choir in Cambridge. I expect you know that it was the final anthem at the 10 year memorial serive for Diana, Princess of Wales, sung by the Choir of the Guards’ Chapel last year.
It is the first of a set of six Songs of Farewell, written right at the end of the composer’s life. The style is very English and richly expressive. I will try ad find a link so you can listen to it
Thanks, Julie! I’ve never heard even heard of Charles Perry – I just liked the poems. I’ll look into him, though!
You are welcome Michelle! I have found some references on Charles Parry for you but sadly no sound bites. I will send them via email for you. Enjoy!