If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.
Text
Nature, the gentlest mother
English source:
Emily Dickinson
Nature, the gentlest mother
Impatient of no child,
The feeblest or the waywardest,—
Her admonition mild
In forest and the hill
By traveller is heard,
Restraining rampant squirrel
Or too impetuous bird.
How fair her conversation,
A summer afternoon,—
Her household, her assembly;
And when the sun goes down
Her voice among the aisles
Incites the timid prayer
Of the minutest cricket,
The most unworthy flower.
When all the children sleep
She turns as long away
As will suffice to light her lamps;
Then, bending from the sky,
With infinite affection
And infiniter care,
Her golden finger on her lip,
Wills silence everywhere.
Impatient of no child,
The feeblest or the waywardest,—
Her admonition mild
In forest and the hill
By traveller is heard,
Restraining rampant squirrel
Or too impetuous bird.
How fair her conversation,
A summer afternoon,—
Her household, her assembly;
And when the sun goes down
Her voice among the aisles
Incites the timid prayer
Of the minutest cricket,
The most unworthy flower.
When all the children sleep
She turns as long away
As will suffice to light her lamps;
Then, bending from the sky,
With infinite affection
And infiniter care,
Her golden finger on her lip,
Wills silence everywhere.
Composer
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and conductor. Read more here.
Poet
Emily Dickinson
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (December 10, 1830 – May 15, 1886) was an American poet. Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, into a prominent family with strong ties to its community. After studying at the Amherst Academy for seven years in her…
Performances
Previously performed at:
- Schubert & Schumann 14 Oct 2024
- Young Artist Auditions (Session 3) 19 Apr 2024
- 52. Jessica Cale, Hamish Brown: Ferrier Award Winners 24 Oct 2022
- Song at Wolfson: Helen Charlston & Sholto Kynoch (second performance) 10 Jun 2021
- Song at Wolfson: Helen Charlston & Sholto Kynoch (first performance) 10 Jun 2021
- Oxford Lieder at Fairlight Hall: Helen Charlston & Sholto Kynoch 06 Jun 2021
- Oxford Lieder at Rye Creative Centre: Helen Charlston & Sholto Kynoch 04 Jun 2021
- Mastercourse Day One 23 Oct 2017