The King Of Candyland
Have you heard of the king of Candy land?
Well, listen while I sing,
He has pages on every hand,
For he is a mighty king,
And thousands of children bend the knee,
And bow to this ruler of high degree.
He has a smile, oh! like the sun!
And his face is round and bland,
His bright eyes twinkle and glow with fun,
As the children kiss his hand.
And everything toothsome, melting, sweet,
He scatters freely before their feet.
But wo! for the children who follow him,
With loving praises and laughter,
For he is a monster ugly and grim
That they go running after.
And when they get well into the chase
He lifts his masque and shows his face.
And ah! but that is a gruesome sight
For the followers of the king.
The cheeks grow pale that once were bright,
And they sob instead of sing.
And their teeth drop out and their eyes grow red,
And they cannot sleep when they go to bed.
And after they see the monster's face,
They have no peaceful hour.
And they have aches in every place,
And what was sweet seems sour.
Oh wo! for that sorrowful foolish band
Who follow the king of Candy land.
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Sweet Children
See a young girl so soft and blonde.
Doesnt attack me but she did once.
Intoxications in her veins.
Sweet young boy plays with her brain.
Lydiall bring to life.
What are your chance not to oblige.
Putting his hand on her thigh.
Ability has now been ripped.
Take it away, Id rather sit.
Sweet children, sweet children, sweet children. remember when.
Johnnys playing fun and games, or else hes ? in the storage shed? .
Running from the light of day, or maybe lie and celebrate.
The funny circus from his head.
Follow me if you understand.
Ill trick her so shell do it.
Then Ill sing and now we run.
Sweet children, sweet children, sweet children. remember when.
Sweet children, sweet children, sweet children. remember when.
song performed by by Green Day
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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To Know The Unknowable You
To know the unknowable you
Is all I want to do
To plunge the depths of your love
Is to soar in the heavens above
Oh to know what cannot be known
It to kneel before your throne
Hallelujah Christ the King
Listen to my heart sing
Hallelujah Christ my King
Listen to my heart sing
To scale the heights of your love
Is to fly with the wings of a dove
To walk through the door of your heart
Means to never be apart
To look into your eyes
Is to fly where the eagle flies
Hallelujah Christ the King
Listen to my heart sing
Hallelujah Christ my King
Listen to my heart sing
To look into your face
Will be an eternal embrace
To see what no eyes have can see
Is to be eternally free
Oh to live in the arms of my King
Is to hear my great-full heart sing
Hallelujah Christ the King
Listen to my heart sing
Hallelujah Christ my King
Listen to my heart sing
To search the unsearchable you
Brings eternity clear into view
To discover the heavenly treasures
Is to dispel all earthly pleasures
To feast at the heavenly table
Renders me completely unable
To describe the indescribable you
And all the glorious things that you d
poem by Frank McEleny
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King Without A Crown
Welcome to the great republic
Guess I should show you round
Where once I was a king
And now I am a clown
The love that we once shared
Made a king of me
But now youre gone... but now youre gone
All I face is poverty
...king without a heart
...king without a hope
...king without a woman baby
Oh Im a king without a crown
...king without a heart
...king without a hope
...king without a woman baby
Oh Im a king without a crown
Hell hath no fury
Like a woman scorned
But heaven dont boast - no heaven dont boast
The jewel - the pretty jewel I just pawned
Every cloud has a silver lining
Every dog has its day
Oh but I guess the sun stopped shining
On the day you went away
...king without a heart
...king without a hope
...king without a woman baby
Oh Im a king without a crown
...king without a heart
...king without a hope
...king without a woman baby
Oh Im a king without a crown
...king without a heart
...king without a hope
...king without a woman baby
Yes Im a king - king! king without a crown
Bathed in former glory
Deposed from my throne
How do I get to tell my story?
When all gets your answerphone...
But you aint home
With the love you gave
I felt like royalty
But now youre face to face - face to face
With one ex-member of the aristocracy
...king without a heart
...king without a hope
...king without a woman baby
Oh Im a king without a crown
...king without a heart
...king without a hope
...king without a woman baby
Oh Im a king without a crown
Theres no need to feel down
Yeah just take a look around
Youll see a man whos just a man
Nothing more
A king without a crown
song performed by by Abc
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tour Of Heaven #2 Return To Heaven
I came home from work late that day.
I wanted to get under the covers and slip away.
I took my shower, then had a bite to eat
Took some aspirins, then rubbed my feet.
I climbed into bed then closed my eyes
Then into a hypnotic trance I did fly.
I found myself floating high in the air
All my worries seemed to disappear.
I seen myself back at heavens gate
Asking ST. PETER if I was late.
I saw the guardian angels with their
Wings enclosed in their backs
Waiting for the ones who had passed away
Leading them to their judgment day.
I saw the cherubs frolicking and laughing
With the creatures of the land
While children with the sea animals
playing in the sand.
I saw the bright lights floating in the air
Paved roads all crystal clear.
I saw all the birds in flight
Children screaming with delight.
MAN OH MAN! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT
There were waterfalls, rivers, and streams
What a fantastic scene.
There is never any darkness in the heavens above
For the lights around us, come from our love.
Every heart, every soul radiating its own light
And colors which emit a glow
And of this I did not know.
The path, the road that led to my LORD, my KING
Was paved with gold, with diamonds
with emeralds and rings.
All the riches in the world laying at my feet
But none of that was of interest to me.
I just wanted to see the face of my KING.
I looked at his face and a sense of exhilaration
came over me, and I knew that my soul was free.
I heard myself screaming in my bed.
MY LORD. MY GOD, take me away
For with you is where I want to stay.
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Return To Heaven Tour Of Heaven #2
I came home from work late that day.
I wanted to get under the covers and slip away.
I took my shower, then had a bite to eat
Took some aspirins, then rubbed my feet.
I climbed into bed then closed my eyes
Then into a hypnotic trance I did fly.
I found myself floating high in the air
All my worries seemed to disappear.
I seen myself back at heavens gate
Asking ST. PETER if I was late.
I saw the guardian angels with their
Wings enclosed in their backs
Waiting for the ones who had passed away
Leading them to their judgment day.
I saw the cherubs frolicking and laughing
With the creatures of the land
While children with the sea animals
playing in the sand.
I saw the bright lights floating in the air
Paved roads all crystal clear.
I saw all the birds in flight
Children screaming with delight.
MAN OH MAN! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT
There were waterfalls, rivers, and streams
What a fantastic scene.
There is never any darkness in the heavens above
For the lights around us, come from our love.
Every heart, every soul radiating its own light
And colors which emit a glow
And of this I did not know.
The path, the road that led to my LORD, my KING
Was paved with gold, with diamonds
with emeralds and rings.
All the riches in the world laying at my feet
But none of that was of interest to me.
I just wanted to see the face of my KING.
I looked at his face and a sense of exhilaration
came over me, and I knew that my soul was free.
I heard myself screaming in my bed.
MY LORD. MY GOD, take me away
For with you is where I want to stay.
poem by Louis Rams
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So Like Candy
So Like Candy
Here lies the powder and perfume
The pretty clothes are scattered 'round the room
And it's so like Candy
Here lies the lipstick and the face
The colored tablets keep it all in place
And it's so like Candy
So like Candy
What did I do
To make her go
Why must she be the one
That I have to love so
So like Candy
Here lies a picture of a girl
Her arms are tight around that lucky guy
And it's so like Candy
And in her eyes a certain look
I thought I'd seen the last of long ago
And it's so like Candy
So like Candy
What did I do
To make her go
Why must she be the one
That I have to love so
I remember the day that picture was taken
We were so happy then
But that's so like Candy
She seemed so sweet to me
I was mistaken
Oh no not that again
But that's so like Candy
She just can't face the day
So she turns and melts away
Here lie the records that she scratched
And on the sleeve I find a note attached
And it's so like Candy
song performed by by Paul McCartney
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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So Like Candy
Here lies the powder and perfume
The pretty clothes are scattered round the room
And its so like candy
Here lies the lipstick and the face
The coloured tablets keep it all in place
And its so like candy
So like candy
Chorus
What did I do to make her go
Why must she be the one
That I have to love
So like candy
Here lies a picture of a girl
Her arms are tight around that lucky guy
And its so like candy
And in her eyes a certain look
I thought Id seen the last of long ago
And its so like candy
So like candy
Chorus
I remember the day that picture was taken
We were so happy then
But thats so like candy
She seemed so sweet to me I was mistaken
Oh no not that again
But thats so like candy
She just cant face the day
So she turns and melts away
Here lie the records that she scratched
And on the sleeve I find a note attached
And its so like candy
My darling dear its such a waste
She couldnt say goodbye, but I admire your taste
And its so like candy
So like candy
song performed by by Elvis Costello
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Vashti
She leaned her head upon her hand
And heard the King's decree --
"My lords are feasting in my halls;
Bid Vashti come to me.
"I've shown the treasures of my house,
My costly jewels rare,
But with the glory of her eyes
No rubies can compare.
"Adorn'd and crown'd I'd have her come,
With all her queenly grace,
And, 'mid my lords and mighty men,
Unveil her lovely face.
"Each gem that sparkles in my crown,
Or glitters on my throne,
Grows poor and pale when she appears,
My beautiful, my own!"
All waiting stood the chamberlains
To hear the Queen's reply.
They saw her cheek grow deathly pale,
But light flash'd to her eye:
"Go, tell the King," she proudly said,
"That I am Persia's Queen,
And by his crowds of merry men
I never will be seen.
"I'll take the crown from off my head
And tread it 'neath my feet,
Before their rude and careless gaze
My shrinking eyes shall meet.
"A queen unveil'd before the crowd! --
Upon each lip my name! --
Why, Persia's women all would blush
And weep for Vashti's shame!
"Go back!" she cried, and waved her hand,
And grief was in her eye:
"Go, tell the King," she sadly said,
"That I would rather die."
They brought her message to the King;
Dark flash'd his angry eye;
'Twas as the lightning ere the storm
Hath swept in fury by.
Then bitterly outspoke the King,
Through purple lips of wrath --
"What shall be done to her who dares
To cross your monarch's path?"
Then spake his wily counsellors --
"O King of this fair land!
From distant Ind to Ethiop,
All bow to thy command.
"But if, before thy servants' eyes,
This thing they plainly see,
That Vashti doth not heed thy will
Nor yield herself to thee,
"The women, restive 'neath our rule,
Would learn to scorn our name,
And from her deed to us would come
Reproach and burning shame.
"Then, gracious King, sign with thy hand
This stern but just decree,
That Vashti lay aside her crown,
Thy Queen no more to be."
She heard again the King's command,
And left her high estate;
Strong in her earnest womanhood,
She calmly met her fate,
And left the palace of the King,
Proud of her spotless name --
A woman who could bend to grief,
But would not bow to shame.
poem by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
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The King of Erin's Daughter
THE King of Erin's Daughter had wind-blown hair and bright,
The King of Erin's Daughter, her eyes were like the sea;
(O Rose of all the roses, have you forgotten quite
The story of the days of old that once you told to me?)
The King of Erin's Daughter went up the mountain side
And who but she was singing as she went upon her way,
'O somewhere waits a King's Son and I shall be his bride,
And tall he is and fair he is and none shall say him nay.'
The King of Erin's Daughter–O fair was she and sweet–
Went laughing up the mountain without a look behind
Till on the lofty summit that lay beneath her feet
She found a King's Son waiting there, his brows with poppies twined.
O tall was he and fair was he. He looked into her face
And whispered in her ear a word un-named of mortal breath
And very still she rested, clasped close in his embrace,
The King of Erin's Daughter, for the bridegroom's name was Death.
poem by Norah M. Holland
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The Three Kings
WHEN the star in the East was lit to shine
The three kings journeyed to Palestine;
They came from the uttermost parts of earth
With long trains laden with gifts of worth.
The first king rode on a camel's back,
He came from the land where the kings are black,
Bringing treasures desired of kings,
Rubies and ivory and precious things.
An elephant carried the second king,
He came from the land of the sun-rising,
And gems and gold and spices he bare
With broidered raiment for kings to wear.
The third king came without steed or train
From the misty land where the white kings reign.
He bore no gifts save the myrrh in his hand,
For he came on foot from a far-off land.
Now when they had travelled a-many days
Through tangled forests and desert ways,
By angry seas and by paths thorn-set
On Christmas Vigil the three kings met.
And over their meeting a shrouded sky
Made dark the star they had travelled by.
Then the first king spake and he frowned and said:
'By some ill spell have our feet been led,
'Now I see in the darkness the fools we are
To follow the light of a lying star.
'Let us fool no more, but like kings and men
Each get him home to his land again!'
Then the second king with the weary face,
Gold-tinct as the sun of his reigning place,
Lifted sad eyes to the clouds and said,
'It was but a dream and the dream is sped.
'We dreamed of a star that rose new and fair,
But it sets in the night of the old despair.
'Yet night is faithful though stars betray,
It will lead to our kingdoms far away.'
Then spake the king who had fared alone
From the far-off kingdom, the white-hung throne:
'O brothers, brothers, so very far
Ye have followed the light of the radiant star,
'And because for a while ye see it not
Shall its faithful shining be all forgot?
'On the spirit's pathway the light still lies
Though the star be hid from our longing eyes.
'To-morrow our star will be bright once more
The little pin-hole in heaven's floor--
'The Angels pricked it to let it bring
Our feet to the throne of the new-born King!'
And the first king heard and the second heard
And their hearts grew humble before the third.
And they laid them down beside bale and beast
and their sleeping eyes saw light in the East.
For the Angels fanned them with starry wings
And the waft of visions of unseen things.
And the next gold day waned trembling and white
And the star was born of the waxing night.
And the three kings came where the Great King lay,
A little baby among the hay,
The ox and the ass were standing near
And Mary Mother beside her Dear.
Then low in the litter the kings bowed down,
They gave Him gold for a kingly crown,
And frankincense for a great God's breath
and Myrrh to sweeten the day of death.
The Maiden Mother she stood and smiled
And she took from the manger her little child.
On the dark king's head she laid His hand
And anger died at that dear command.
She laid His hand on the gold king's head
And despair itself was comforted.
But when the pale king knelt in the stall
She heard on the straw his tears down fall.
And she stooped where he knelt beside her feet
And laid on his bosom her baby sweet.
And the king in the holy stable-place
Felt the little lips through the tears on his face.
* * * * * * *
Christ! lay Thy hand on the angry king
Who reigns in my breast to my undoing,
And lay thy hands on the king who lays
The spell of sadness on all my days,
And give the white king my soul, Thy soul,
Of these other kings the high control.
That soul and spirit and sense may meet
In adoration before Thy feet!
Now Glory to God the Father Most High,
And the Star, the Spirit, He leads us by.
And to God's dear Son, the Babe who was born
And laid in the manger on Christmas morn!
poem by Edith Nesbit
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Sing You Children
(words & music by nelson - burch)
Oh jonah he was desperate in the belly of the whale
Well jonah had a plan, he knew he couldnt fail
He raised his head on high
And looking for the sky
And he sang his song so pretty
The whale told him goodbye
You got to sing you children sing
Sing you children sing
I only know one thing, hey! hey! hey!
Sing you children sing, everybody
Sing you children sing
Sing your troubles away
Well moses said good lord
Open up these waters for me
So I can get your chidren
Across the salty sea
Well the lord parted the waters
And singing hand in hand
Moses and the children
Walked over to the promised land
You got to sing you children sing
Sing you children sing
I only know one thing, hey! hey! hey!
Sing you children sing, everybody
Sing you children sing
Sing your troubles away
Oh joshua had a plan
At the walls of jericho
Hed march around those walls
And on his horn hed blow
That horn would play a tune
And sing a happy song
When joshua got through
Those walls came tumbling down
You got to sing you children sing
Sing you children sing
I only know one thing, hey! hey! hey!
Sing you children sing, everybody
Sing you children sing
Sing your troubles away
You got to sing your troubles away
Sing your troubles away
Sing your troubles away
Sing your troubles away
Sing your troubles away
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Candy Land
It always starts out simple,
maybe something sweet.
Just a little candy, no harm
at all.
Then comes the constent need.
The need for more and more.
After a little it starts to become
an obsession, the need for it so
bad you'll do anything.
And thats when it happens,
you meet him, the man from
Candy Land. He always has
candy and he's always so nice.
You ask him and he says ok,
lets drive off to Candy Land.
You get in with him and buckle up,
just like a good little child.
After that you see him smile and
he gives you a lolipop. You smile
and take it, the last words you say
are thanks mister.
And thats the last thing you ever say,
the next place your seen is six feet
under and the Candy Man got your
candy. Is that what you wanted, is that
how it was supposed to end?
With your mother standing over you and
weeping. I bet it wasn't...
poem by Blake Foxx
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I'm Growing Old
I’M growing old — ‘t is surely so;
And yet how short it seems
Since I was but a sportive child,
Enjoying childish dreams!
I cannot see the change that comes
With such an even pace;
I mark not when the wrinkles fall
Upon my fading face.
I know I’m old; and yet my heart
Is just as young and gay
As e’er it was before my locks
Of bright brown turned to gray.
I know these eyes to other eyes
Look not so bright and glad
As once they looked; and yet ‘tis nor
Because my heart’s more sad.
I never watched with purer joy
The floating clouds and glowing skies,
While glistening tears of rapture fill
These old and fading eyes.
And when I mark the cheek, wkere once
The bright rose used to glow,
It grieves me not to see instead
The almond crown my brow.
I’ve seen the flower grow old and pale,
And withered more than I;
I’ve seen it lose its every charm,
Then droop away and die.
And then I’ve seen it rise again,
Bright as the beaming sky,
And young and pure and beautiful—
And felt that so shall I.
Then what if I am growing old?
My heart is changeless still,
And God has given me enough
This loving heart to fill.
I love to see the sun go down,
And lengthening shadows throw
Along the ground, while o’er my head
The clouds in crimson glow.
I see, beyond those gorgeous clouds,
A country bright and fair,
Which needs no sun: God and the Lamb
Its light and beauty are.
I seem to hear the wondrous song
Redeemed sinners sing;
And my heart leaps to join the throng
To praise the Heavenly King.
I seem to see three cherub boys,
As hand in hand they go,
With golden curls and snowy wings,
Whose eyes with rapture glow.
When I was young I called them mine —
Now Heaven’s sweet ones are they;
But I shall claim my own again,
When I am called away.
Perhaps, when heaven’s bright gate I’ve passed,
They’ll know from every other
The one who gave them back to God,
And haste to call me mother.
0! 1 am glad I’m growing old!
For every day I spend
Shall bring me one day nearer that
Bright day that has no end.
poem by Anonymous Americas
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There’s a ancient story
There’s an ancient story
of God and of men,
of the holy Lord Jesus
born in Bethlehem.
Of shepherds in the field
watching their flock at night
and an angel so bright
that they had to shield their eyes
telling about the Son of God,
the Prince of Peace being born
and angels that sing praises to Him.
Of wise men from the East
following a bright star,
coming from very far
with gifts of gold,
frankincense and myrrh
for the newborn king
Of king Herod
when he heard about the child
let his soldiers kill
all the children
in and around Bethlehem
who were two years and younger
and of Jesus Christ escaping to Egypt
Of God the Son, Jesus
in innocence being crucified
for the sins of all men
and rising from the dead
to be alive and God again.
poem by Gert Strydom
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To His Sleeping Mistress
Oh, fair sweet face! oh, eyes, celestial bright,
Twin stars in heaven, that now adorn the night!
Oh, fruitful lips, where cherries ever grow,
And damask cheeks, where all sweet beauties blow!
Oh, thou, from head to foot divinely fair!
Cupid's most cunning net's made of that hair;
And, as he weaves himself for curious eyes,
'Oh me, oh me, I'm caught myself!' he cries:
Sweet rest about thee, sweet and golden sleep,
Soft peaceful thoughts, your hourly watches keep,
Whilst I in wonder sing this sacrifice,
To beauty sacred, and those angel eyes!
poem by John Fletcher
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The King's Gone Into Hiding
The King has gone into hiding, so
He went to selling vinyl siding.
Got too fat
For his pants,
Out of desperation
Decided to take a chance:
- change his name,
-change his face
-even change his beloved place.
No more rock-n-roll
No more killing his soul...
Did odd jobs here and there
Stopped coloring his hair,
Kept moving along
Just trying to find
Somewhere he'd belong...
He took up a new direction
To follow the Resurrection;
Now, no one knows his name
Nor recalls his fame,
He's singing a whole new song
All is new, the old is gone.
Yes, the King's gone into hiding
There'll be no more sightings,
Anonymity is his saviour...
This new Life
Has such sweet flavor.
Oh, he's still around,
He just can't be found.
He's made up his mind
Incognito is the way
He will have to stay
If he's ever to be
Himself and completely free;
The perfect place
Far outside of the rat-race.
So many years now
We've not seen the King,
Though we still look every now and then
Hoping once more just to hear him sing...
Listen carefully in the caressing wind
And you may softly hear,
His heavenly voice
Tenderly blowing near...
For tis true what so often has been said:
The King is gone,
but in our hearts, he will never be dead.
poem by Smoky Hoss
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King Rocker
Jailhouse rocker roots training down
In memphis
Liverpool johnny rocks out round pauls place
Seconds away as the rhythm comes down
King faces king in the ring for the crown
King rocker king rocker - rock rock rock
King kong
King kong
Elvis from the body shakes from the hipbone
Quarry st. kids in leather take hamburg
Creole was sharp but his guitar was acoustic
Go johnny go use your electric
-crazy man crazy
King rocker king rocker - rock rock rock
King kong
King kong
King rocker king rocker - rock rock rock
King kong
Round three - ali buzzin like a bee,
Elvis in the corner and you wont catch me
Round four - johnny lookin poor,
Gotta find a hit gotta even up the score
Round five - some jive, elvis took a dive
Waitin for the towel more dead than alive
Round six, seven, eight, nine, -
Ref stops the fight with the men on forty two
For a rematch in heaven
If they ever come through
[gotta] see this fight right thru til the last round
Follow the man
Whose puttin out the boss sound
Of king rocker king rocker -rock rock rock
King kong
King kong
King kong
King kong
King rocker king rocker -rock rock rock
King kong
King kong
King kong
King kong
song performed by by Billy Idol
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Antiphon (I)
Chorus: Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing
'My God and King.'
Verse: The heav'ns are not too high,
His praise may thither fly:
The earth is not too low,
His praises there may grow.
Chorus: Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing,
'My God and King.'
Verse: The church with psalms must shout
No door can keep them out:
But above all, the heart
Must bear the longest part.
Chorus: Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing,
'My God and King.'
poem by George Herbert
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Psalm 146
Do not put your trust in man
Put your trust in God alone
Sing praises to the Lord your God
Come sing before His holy throne
My hope is in the Lord my God
Maker of heaven and earth
My hope is in the Lord my God
It is only Him that I will serve
He is a Father to the fatherless
He sets the prisoners free
He feeds all those who come to Him
Who come to Him on bended knee
He opens up the yes of men
So they can clearly see
The King and all His wonderous works
The King who set them free
He watches over strangers
And lifts the lowly head
He conquers hell and darkness
He brings life to the dead
The King shall reign forever
And forever He shall be
They'll sing and worship round His throne
Of Him who set them free
poem by Frank McEleny
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The Speeding Of The King's Spite
A king--estranged from his loving Queen
By a foolish royal whim--
Tired and sick of the dull routine
Of matters surrounding him--
Issued a mandate in this wise.--
'THE DOWER OF MY DAUGHTER'S HAND
I WILL GIVE TO HIM WHO HOLDS THIS PRIZE,
THE STRANGEST THING IN THE LAND.'
But the King, sad sooth! in this grim decree
Had a motive low and mean;--
'Twas a royal piece of chicanery
To harry and spite the Queen;
For King though he was, and beyond compare,
He had ruled all things save one--
Then blamed the Queen that his only heir
Was a daughter--not a son.
The girl had grown, in the mother's care,
Like a bud in the shine and shower
That drinks of the wine of the balmy air
Till it blooms into matchless flower;
Her waist was the rose's stem that bore
The flower--and the flower's perfume--
That ripens on till it bulges o'er
With its wealth of bud and bloom.
And she had a lover--lowly sprung,--
But a purer, nobler heart
Never spake in a courtlier tongue
Or wooed with a dearer art:
And the fair pair paled at the King's decree;
But the smiling Fates contrived
To have them wed, in a secrecy
That the Queen HERSELF connived--
While the grim King's heralds scoured the land
And the countries roundabout,
Shouting aloud, at the King's command,
A challenge to knave or lout,
Prince or peasant,--'The mighty King
Would have ye understand
That he who shows him the strangest thing
Shall have his daughter's hand!'
And thousands flocked to the royal throne,
Bringing a thousand things
Strange and curious;--One, a bone--
The hinge of a fairy's wings;
And one, the glass of a mermaid queen,
Gemmed with a diamond dew,
Where, down in its reflex, dimly seen,
Her face smiled out at you.
One brought a cluster of some strange date,
With a subtle and searching tang
That seemed, as you tasted, to penetrate
The heart like a serpent's fang;
And back you fell for a spell entranced,
As cold as a corpse of stone,
And heard your brains, as they laughed and danced
And talked in an undertone.
One brought a bird that could whistle a tune
So piercingly pure and sweet,
That tears would fall from the eyes of the moon
In dewdrops at its feet;
And the winds would sigh at the sweet refrain,
Till they swooned in an ecstacy,
To waken again in a hurricane
Of riot and jubilee.
One brought a lute that was wrought of a shell
Luminous as the shine
Of a new-born star in a dewy dell,--
And its strings were strands of wine
That sprayed at the Fancy's touch and fused,
As your listening spirit leant
Drunken through with the airs that oozed
From the o'ersweet instrument.
One brought a tablet of ivory
Whereon no thing was writ,--
But, at night--and the dazzled eyes would see
Flickering lines o'er it,--
And each, as you read from the magic tome,
Lightened and died in flame,
And the memory held but a golden poem
Too beautiful to name.
Till it seemed all marvels that ever were known
Or dreamed of under the sun
Were brought and displayed at the royal throne,
And put by, one by one
Till a graybeard monster came to the King--
Haggard and wrinkled and old--
And spread to his gaze this wondrous thing,--
A gossamer veil of gold.--
Strangely marvelous--mocking the gaze
Like a tangle of bright sunshine,
Dipping a million glittering rays
In a baptism divine:
And a maiden, sheened in this gauze attire--
Sifting a glance of her eye--
Dazzled men's souls with a fierce desire
To kiss and caress her and--die.
And the grim King swore by his royal beard
That the veil had won the prize,
While the gray old monster blinked and leered
With his lashless, red-rimmed eyes,
As the fainting form of the princess fell,
And the mother's heart went wild,
Throbbing and swelling a muffled knell
For the dead hopes of her child.
But her clouded face with a faint smile shone,
As suddenly, through the throng,
Pushing his way to the royal throne,
A fair youth strode along,
While a strange smile hovered about his eyes,
As he said to the grim old King:--
'The veil of gold must lose the prize;
For _I_ have a stranger thing.'
He bent and whispered a sentence brief;
But the monarch shook his head,
With a look expressive of unbelief--
'It can't be so,' he said;
'Or give me proof; and I, the King,
Give you my daughter's hand,--
For certes THAT IS a stranger thing--
THE STRANGEST THING IN THE LAND!'
Then the fair youth, turning, caught the Queen
In a rapturous caress,
While his lithe form towered in lordly mien,
As he said in a brief address:--
'My fair bride's mother is this; and, lo,
As you stare in your royal awe,
By this pure kiss do I proudly show
A LOVE FOR A MOTHER-IN-LAW!'
Then a thaw set in the old King's mood,
And a sweet Spring freshet came
Into his eyes, and his heart renewed
Its love for the favored dame:
But often he has been heard to declare
That 'he never could clearly see
How, in the deuce, such a strange affair
Could have ended so happily!'
poem by James Whitcomb Riley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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