quote · Legacy record
Beautiful birds of lightsome wing, Bright creatures that come with the voice of spring; We see you arrayed in the hues of the morn, Yet ye dream not of pride, and ye wist not of scorn, Though rainbow splendour around you glows, Ye vaunt not the beauty which nature bestows: Oh! what a lesson for glory are ye, How ye preach the grace of humility. Swift birds that skim o’er the stormy deep, Who steadily onward your journey keep, Who neither for rest nor for slumber stay, But press still forward, by night or day— As on your unwearying course ye fly, Beneath the clear and unclouded sky; Oh! may we, without delay, like you, The path of duty and right pursue. Sweet birds that breathe the spirit of song, And surround heaven’s gate in melodious throng; Who rise with the earliest beams of day, Your morning tribute of thanks to pay, You remind me that we should likewise raise The voice of devotion, and song of praise; There’s something about you that points on high, Ye beautiful tenants of earth and sky.
Beautiful birds of lightsome wing, Bright creatures that come with the voice of spring; We see you arrayed in the hues of the morn, Yet ye dream not of pride, and ye wist not of scorn, Though rainbow splendour around you glows, Ye vaunt not the beauty which nature bestows: Oh! what a lesson for glory are ye, How ye preach the grace of humility. Swift birds that skim o’er the stormy deep, Who steadily onward your journey keep, Who neither for rest nor for slumber stay, But press still forward, by night or day— As on your unwearying course ye fly, Beneath the clear and unclouded sky; Oh! may we, without delay, like you, The path of duty and right pursue. Sweet birds that breathe the spirit of song, And surround heaven’s gate in melodious throng; Who rise with the earliest beams of day, Your morning tribute of thanks to pay, You remind me that we should likewise raise The voice of devotion, and song of praise; There’s something about you that points on high, Ye beautiful tenants of earth and sky.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- C. W. Thompson (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 69 · printed citation: C. W. Thompson · subject: BIRDS—FOWLS
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.