Emily Pauline Johnson

The Songster

    Music, music with throb and swing,
        Of a plaintive note, and long;
    'Tis a note no human throat could sing,
    No harp with its dulcet golden string, -
    Nor lute, nor lyre with liquid ring,
        Is sweet as the robin's song.

    He sings for love of the season
        When the days grow warm and long,
    For the beautiful God-sent reason
        That his breast was born for song.

    Calling, calling so fresh and clear,
        Through the song-sweet days of May;
    Warbling there, and whistling here,
    He swells his voice on the drinking ear,
    On the great, wide, pulsing atmosphere
        Till his music drowns the day.

    He sings for love of the season
        When the days grow warm and long,
    For the beautiful God-sent reason
        That his breast was born for song.