Hope for the New Year

From Dr. Whitmire: Dear Singers – Here is a poem that has brought me great inspiration, hope and confidence as we march into the New Year.
Peace-DrW

These Things shall be
by John Addington Symonds (1840-93)

Say, heart, what will the future bring.
To happier men when we are gone?
What golden days shall dawn for them,
Transcending all we gaze upon?

These things shall be! A loftier race
Than e’er the world hath known shall rise
With flame of freedom in their souls
And light of science in their eyes.

They shall be gentle, brave, and strong,
Not to shed human blood, but dare,
All that may plant man’s lordship firm
On earth, and fire, and sea, and air.

Nation with nation, land with land,
Inarmed shall live as comrades free;
In every brain and heart shall throb
The pulse of one fraternity.

They shall be simple in their homes,
And splendid in their public ways,
Filling the mansions of the state
With music and with hymns of praise.

In aisles majestic, halls of pride,
In gardens, in groves and galleries
Manhood and age and youth shall meet
To grow by converse inly wise.

New arts shall bloom of loftier mold,
And mightier music thrill the skies,
And every life a song shall be,
When all the earth is paradise.

[Set to music by John Ireland (1879-1962)]

performed at the BBC Proms 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvV2a0pkcE4