A Song of Flight

"A Song of Flight" is a song written by the English composer Edward Elgar in 1895, as his Op. 31, No. 2, with the words from a poem by Christina Rossetti.

The song was first performed by the Irish baritone Harry Plunket Greene in St. James's Hall on 2 March 1900, together with After, Op. 31, No. 1.

Lyrics
A SONG OF FLIGHT


 * While we slumber and sleep
 * The sun leaps up from the deep.
 * Daylight born at the leap!
 * Rapid, dominant, free,
 * Athirst to bathe in the uttermost sea.


 * While we linger at play,
 * If the year would stand at May!
 * Winds are up and away
 * Over land, over sea,
 * To their goal wherever their goal may be.


 * It is time to arise
 * To race for the promised prize,
 * The Sun flies, the Wind flies.
 * We are strong, we are free,
 * And home lies beyond the stars and the sea.