The view from the stage: last Saturday night proved to be one of my very favorite shows, hosted in a bay-front home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I spoke about the thesis project that I have just finished, entitled "Reweaving: The humanizing virtues of music for the weary and unwoven."
My thesis topic shows up in many of the songs that I have written this year, including my latest, "Look On Beauty." The lyrics are below.
Look On Beauty
Look on beauty
To undo me
To unite my disparate parts
To receive me
And reweave me
Knit my hands to head to heart
Are you shocked with gladness?
Are your cheeks soaked by surprise?
Somehow filled and emptied
at the same time?
Don't say a word; rest here awhile
Rest here awhile; rest here awhile
Happy shivers at the snow-blown
Purple winter sky
When the moon don't shine
But the haze is bright
Or have the ballet dancers
Spun you dizzy with delight?
See their sinews flash
O! The grace and might
Are you swept away and swallowed
In your sweetheart's eyes?
Well she loves you through and through
Loves all of you
Look on Beauty
To undo me
To unite my disparate parts
To receive me
And reweave me
Knit my hands to head to heart
Knit my hands to head to heart.