1997
A Terrible Disaster
Composed by 
Ned Rorem
Ned Rorem Text by Paul Goodman
Evidence of Things Not Seen Song Collection
"A Terrible Disaster" is the 30th song in Rorem's massive song cycle Evidence of Things Not Seen, which sets 36 poems by a total of 24 authors.
Text
A Terrible Disaster
by Paul Goodman
A terrible disaster befell me
long ago, no newsy story,
I was in love, my love was not requited,
I missed the easy boat of happiness
since when many a thing is possible
to those who have been fortunate in love
has been impossible to me who lack
conviction the world is ordered for the best.
A disastrous and terrible simple fate
I share in common with many other folk
and maybe we had all been better off
if we had died then when our hearts were broken.
Sheet Music