Waiting

(Thomas Tallis, John Burroughs)

I found this song in a hymnal.
Tallis wrote it in 1561 and Burroughs revised it in 1862.
“Waiting” inspired my next song, “What Is Mine Will Find Me.”

SERENE I FOLD MY HANDS AND WAIT,
FOR WHAT AVAILS THIS EAGER PACE?
I STAND AMID ETERNAL WAYS,
AND WHAT IS MINE SHALL KNOW MY FACE.

THE STARS COME NIGHTLY TO THE SKY;
THE TIDAL WAVE UNTO THE SEA;
NOR TIME, NOR SPACE, NOR DEEP, NOR HIGH
CAN KEEP MY OWN AWAY FROM ME.