It Is Something to Have Wept

Top Text Author Text Info Tune Instances

It is something to have wept as we have wept

Author: G. K. Chesterton
Tune: KEITH (Sanders)
Published in 1 hymnal

Representative Text

1 It is something to have wept as we have wept,
and something to have done as we have done;
it is something to have watched when all have slept,
and seen the stars which never see the sun.

2 It is something to have smelt the mystic rose,
although it break and leave the thorny rods;
it is something to have hungered once as those
must hunger who have ate the bread of gods:

3 To have known the things that from the weak are furled,
the fearful ancient passions, strange and high;
it is something to be wiser than the world,
and something to be older than the sky.

4 Lo, and blessed are our ears for they have heard:
yea, blessed are our eyes for they have seen:
let the thunder break on human, beast, and bird,
and lightning. It is something to have been.

Source: Singing the Living Tradition #5

All representative texts • Compare texts ^ top

Author: G. K. Chesterton

Chesterton, Gilbert Keith, son of Edward Chesterton, was b. May 29, 1874, at Campden Hill, Kensington. London; and is a well-known journalist and author, now (1906) residing at Battersea Park, London. He contributed to The English Hymnal, 1906, a vigorous lyric beginning, "O God of earth and altar"(Prayer for the Nation). [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)… Go to person page >

^ top

Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	It is something to have wept as we have wept
Title:	It Is Something to Have Wept
Author:	G. K. Chesterton
Meter:	11.10.11.10
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain