My Virtual Reading Room

Oh, for the love of a friend whose voice and touch will rainbow sorrows, diamond tears, making of them gems of rarest joy; one who forgives all my shortages ere asked to do so; one who dares to the uttermost of human imagery; one whose ship will cast anchor, and throw out the life line of hope when storms are near; one who forgives in me all that I can forgive in myself. Oh, for the love of a friend who can be made the sacred trustee of my heart; one who is more to me than the closest relative; one whose very name is so sacred that I want to whisper it softly; one who lingers near my door in time of distress, and stretches forth his hand, which is not empty or cold, and who says little, but feels largely.

(Mae Lawson)

I strove with none, for none were worth my strife;
Nature I loved, and, next to Nature, Art;
I warmed both hands before the fire of Life;
It sinks, and I am ready to depart.

(Walter Savage Landor [at the age of 75])

One of my favourite songs...enjoy!

Cat


Translation of lyrics:

I don't know who keeps spreading the rumor
That I live without sadness and care
That I'm more fortunate than everybody else
And that in everything and all the time
Luck accompanies me.

Refrain:
Just like everybody else, just like everybody else, just like everybody else,
I walk on this earth,
And just like everybody else, just like everybody else,
I keep asking the Fate for happiness.

Don't believe that I live as if I were in Paradise,
And troubles pass me by,
I get tired by the evening time just like everybody else,
And I get sad and cry sometimes.

Refrain:
Just like everybody else, etc.

Life sometimes knocks me about and shakes me up,
But I know one remedy for all troubles--
In the bitter hour, when I'm deathly unlucky,
I say that I'm lucky anyway.

Refrain:
Just like everybody else, etc.