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Ode to Love
Shakespeare set to "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven
and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Bach
Click here for music: Verses and Chorus
More notes below (optional lyrics)
To be or not to be? That's a question of whether
It's braver to suffer through troubles, or
Take arms against them, opposing to end them.
To sleep or to dream, as in death, what may come?
Doesn't conscience make cowards of us every one,
Leaving action undone?
Time is out of joint, and ever
I was born to set it right.
True to self, then others; it must
follow like the day, the night.
Beauty never had better commmerce
than with perfect honesty.
Tho' you speak with vows of heaven,
why should I believe?
Tell me how does your honor this many a day?
I have mem'ries of yours that I long to repay.
Now I pray you receive them. Their perfume
Once sweet, now is lost. To the noblest mind
There's no value or cost worth your unkind intent
To deceive. I'm not blind!
Doubt the stars are made of fire,
deny the sun doth move above.
Count the truth to be a liar,
but never doubt it's you I love.
O my love, O bright rising sun,
outshining the moon so envious!.
Swear not by the moon and starlight,
you are my universe!
Let our lips do as hands do. The prayer of a Saint
Washes sin from my spirit again and again,
As my vice turns to virtue and eyes turn to
Love goes to love like a boy from his books,
Whereas parting is sorrow, like leaving for school
Wearing long heavy looks.
Why should hatred separate us?
Who will not be punish-ed?
By another name the rose would
smell as sweet or bloom as red!
If I cannot take your namesake?
[How can I forsake your namesake?]
My wedding bed my grave shall be!
Boundless as the ocean, my love
grows the more I give to thee!
Act with purpose, stick with courage,
You won't fail at any plan.
Don't lose hope, but dare do all,
and be much more a man!
Must tomorrow creep in such a petty slow pace
Lighting fools to their deaths by our long yesterdays
Like a candle blown out, there is no doubt
That life's but a shadow, a tale grown too tall
As if told by a player, a fool on the stage,
Meaning nothing at all.
Doubt the stars are made of fire,
deny the sun doth move above.
Count the truth to be a liar,
but never doubt it's you I love,
It's you I love.
O my love, O bright rising sun,
outshining the moon so envious!
Swear not by the moon and starlight,
you are all my universe, my universe,
you are all my universe.
More Musical Shakespeare:
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Juliet & Romeo: A Play on Life in America
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Song Lyrics by Emily Nghiem c/o Educere
Sonnet One
Song Two
Songs 3 & 4
Songs 7 & 8
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Song 5: My True Love
Scarlet Letter Opera
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Tree of Life Poetry Circle
Houston Progressive Webzine
Poetry Editor
Graphics Courtesy of (c) Cynthia Johnston, 1999
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