For works with similar titles, see Longing.
LONGING
Beat, beat, oh Soul, thy panting wing
Against these earthly bars,
Thou, destined yet to soar and sing,
Beyond the stars!
Against these earthly bars,
Thou, destined yet to soar and sing,
Beyond the stars!
Though this strange rapture be the pain
Of prisoned wings,
Yet shalt thou break thy bondage chain
Ye fettered things.
Of prisoned wings,
Yet shalt thou break thy bondage chain
Ye fettered things.
Free, free, oh Soul, not all for naught
Thy fruitless strife,
If one sweet note thine ear hath caught
From higher life!
Thy fruitless strife,
If one sweet note thine ear hath caught
From higher life!
Fold patient pinions, longing Soul, and wait
Thy destiny,
When wide shall swing the iron gate
And thou art free.
Thy destiny,
When wide shall swing the iron gate
And thou art free.