ode to joy

ODE TO JOY
(or ROLL OVER, BEETHOVEN)

Though music be the food of love
      And softly soothe the savage breast
Light to my eyes from skies above
      Brings nature's beauty at her best
So true and right and blessed and bright
      For Light is Life and Life is Light

Though music try to tell a tale
      A picture speaks with such detail
A smile a leaf a little dog
      A flick'ring fire a fallen log
A scene that shouts from every part
      For Art is Life and Life is Art

Though music's rapture pass me by
      Art ever stays to please my eye
And be the players' notes so fine
      The artist's work itself is mine
And every stroke delights my heart
      For Art is Joy and Joy is Art

To think that I shall daily see
      A lovely picture of a tree
Ships pitching in a lively sea
      Or skipping children gay and free
Such art so fresh can never cloy
      For Joy is Art and Art is Joy

BARRY PRESS