I know thou takest pleasure in my singing.  I know that only as a singer I come before thy presence.

I touch by the edge of the far-spreading wing of my song thy feet which I could never aspire to reach.

Drunk with the joy of singing I forget myself and call thee friend who art my lord.


-- Rabindranath Tagore
(from Gitanjali)

When thou commandest me to sing it seems that my heart would break with pride; and I look to thy face, and tears come to my eyes.

All that is harsh and dissonant in my life melts into one sweet harmony -- and my adoration spreads wings like a glad bird on its flight across the sea.


-- Rabindranath Tagore
(from Gitanjali)

Thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure.  This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again, and fillest it ever with fresh life.

This little flute of a reed thou hast carried over hills and dales, and hast breathed through it melodies eternally new.

-- Rabindranath Tagore
(from Gitanjali)

     And if there come the singers and the dancers and the flute players, -- buy of their gifts also.
     For they too are gatherers of fruit and frankincense, and that which they bring, though fashioned of dreams, is raiment and food for your soul.

-- Khalil Gibran
(from The Prophet)