1978
What if I say I shall not wait!
Composed by 
George Perle
George Perle Text by 
Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson Thirteen Dickinson Songs Song Collection
"What if I say I shall not wait!" is the ninth song of George Perle's Thirteen Dickinson Songs.
Text
What if I say I shall not wait!
by Emily Dickinson
What if I say I shall not wait!
What if I burst the fleshly Gate —
And pass escaped — to thee!
What if I file this Mortal — off —
See where it hurt me — That’s enough —
And wade in Liberty!
They cannot take me — any more!
Dungeons can call — and Guns implore
Unmeaning — now — to me —
As laughter — was — an hour ago —
Or Laces — or a Travelling Show —
Or who died — yesterday!
Sheet Music
Thirteen Dickinson Songs
George Perle
1. Perhaps you'd like to buy a flower
2. I Like to see it lap the miles
3. I know some lonely Houses off the road
4. There came a Wind like a Bugle
5. Beauty—be not caused—It is
6. The Wind—tapped like a tired Man
7. These are the days when Birds come back
8. The Heart asks—Pleasure first
9. What if I say I shall not wait!
10. If I’m lost—now
11. The Loneliness One dare not sound
12. Under the Light, yet under
13. She bore it till the simple veins
2. I Like to see it lap the miles
3. I know some lonely Houses off the road
4. There came a Wind like a Bugle
5. Beauty—be not caused—It is
6. The Wind—tapped like a tired Man
7. These are the days when Birds come back
8. The Heart asks—Pleasure first
9. What if I say I shall not wait!
10. If I’m lost—now
11. The Loneliness One dare not sound
12. Under the Light, yet under
13. She bore it till the simple veins
Soprano