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:

Juliet & Romeo: A Play on Life in America

Song Lyrics by Emily Nghiem c/o Educere
Sonnet One Song Two Songs 3 & 4 Songs 7 & 8
Song 5: My True Love Scarlet Letter Opera


Tree of Life Poetry Circle
Houston Progressive Webzine
Poetry Editor
Graphics Courtesy of (c) Cynthia Johnston, 1999

More notes: Optional lyrics


		Is our love meant to be? It's a question of whether
		It's better to suffer in silence, or secretly
		Steal off together forever.
		To lay down my life, after death what may come?
		Will it end global strife? Or do nothing
		But leave sacred passions unsung?

		Doubt the stars are made of fire,
			deny the skies that move above.
		Speak the truth, or be a liar,
			but never doubt it's you I love.
		Shining angel eyes like the sun
			The heavenly stars are envious!
		Swear not by the moon and starlight,
		You are all my universe, my universe,
				you are my universe!

		To be or not to be? It's a question of whether
		Two lovers should suffer in silence, or secretly
		Steal off together forever.
		Why lay down my life? After death what may come?
		Will it end tragic strife? Is it worth losing hope
		In a war never won?

		Why should hatred separate us,
			by our blood be punish-ed?
		If your name I cannot take,
			my death shall be my wedding bed.
		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.
				Don't ever doubt my love!

		Let our lips do as hands do. The prayer of a Saint
		Purges 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 cruel Fate divide us?
			Who will not be punish-ed?
		By another name the rose would
			smell as sweet or bloom as red!
		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!
		O my love, O bright rising sun,
			You outshine the moon so envious!
		Swear not by the stars in heaven.
		You are all my universe, my universe,
				you are my universe!

		Was our love meant to be? It’s a question of whether
		We take on our troubles together,
		Surrender to dark clouds, or give in to deep doubts.
		Is Heaven a dream? After this, what may come?
		Will a kiss break our hearts, leave us grieving with nothing
		But songs left unsung?

		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!
		Eyes of an angel, bright rising sun,
			Outshining the moon and stars above!
		Don't compare the lonely heavens
			You're the only one I love, the one I love.
		You're the only one I love.
		O my love, O bright rising sun,
			You outshine the heavens and the earth!
		Swear not by the moon and starlight,
		You are all my universe, my universe,
			You are all my universe . . . 

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