1997
Now is the Dreadful Midnight
Composed by
Ned Rorem
Ned Rorem Text by Paul Goodman
Evidence of Things Not Seen Song Collection
"Now is the Dreadful Midnight" is the 26th song in Rorem's massive song cycle Evidence of Things Not Seen, which sets 36 poems by a total of 24 authors.
Text
Now is the Dreadful Midnight
by Paul Goodman
Now is the dreadful midnight you
have to do what you want to do
not by your will which is afraid
but by my hand upon you laid.
My hand withheld almost too long
moves by lust, its grip is strong
and callous, it has turned to fire
the arpeggios of a lyre
and we love carelessly
who gravely love Saint Harmony.
Resist not, nor can you resist, the cries
that in your bowels rise
while I to song shall modify
and neither of us will ever die.
Sheet Music