How Beautiful the Light upon the Water

Music: Galiardo Secundo Mris Marye Brownlo.
By William Byrd. Performed by John Sankey.

How beautiful the light upon the water!
A momentary dance across the heart:
Past all wit, all will, all words, all wonder;
Past hope, past dream, past truth too deep to chart.
Yes, there is much that cannot be forsaken,
For it is far too lovely to conceive,
Of which no single part can be partaken
Unless one is oneself what one would grieve.
Remember, then, this joy beyond all feeling,
Touched by tears more tender than revealing,
However shaped by ritual or art.

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