National Poetry Day (UK): George Herbert, The Call

Today is National Poetry Day in the UK. Inspired by Sarah Mohr-Pietsch's presentation of listener requests for their favourite settings of poems to music, here's my choice, The Call by George Herbert (1593-1633):



THE CALL 

Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life:
Such a Way, as gives us breath:
Such a Truth, as ends all strife:
And such a Life, as killeth death.

Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength:
Such a Light, as shows a feast:
Such a Feast, as mends in length:
Such a Strength, as makes his guest.

Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart:
Such a Joy, as none can move:
Such a Love, as none can part:
Such a Heart, as joyes in love.

Go to 05:22-07:40 for "The Call", a moving rendition by baritone Thomas Allen at the Last Night of the Proms, 2004.