Singing the Living Tradition ‎#135

135. How Happy Are They

1 How happy are they, born or taught,
who do not serve another’s will;
whose armor is their honest thought,
and simple truth their highest skill;

2 Whose passions not their rulers are;
whose souls are still, and free from fear,
not tied unto the world with care
of public fame of private ear;

3 Who have their lives from rumors freed,
whose conscience is their strong retreat,
whose state no flattery can feed,
nor ruin make oppressors great.

4 All such are freed from servile bands
of hope to rise, or fear to fall;
they rule themselves, but rule not lands,
and, having nothing, yet have all.

Text Information

• First Line: How happy are they, born or taught
• Title: How Happy Are They
• Author: Henry Wotton, 1568-1639 (adapt.)
• Meter: L.M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Topic: Words and Deeds of Prophetic Women and Men: Love and Compassion; Integrity; Right of Conscience

Tune Information

• Name: WAREHAM
• Composer: William Knapp, 1698-1786
• Meter: L.M.
• Key: A♭ Major