quote · Legacy record
We come! we come! and ye feel our might, And we’re hastening on in our boundless flight, And over the mountains, and over the deep Our broad invisible pinions sweep, Like the spirit of liberty, wild and free! And ye look on our works, and own ’tis we, Ye call us the winds; but can ye tell Whither we go, or where we dwell? Ye mark, as we vary our forms of power, And fell the forest, or fan the flower, When the harebell moves, and the rush is bent, When the tower’s o’erthrown, and the oak is rent, As we waft the bark o’er the slumbering wave, Or hurry its crew to a watery grave: And ye say it is we! but can ye trace The wandering winds to their secret place? And whether our breath be loud and high, Or come in a soft and balmy sigh, Our threatenings fill the soul with fear, Or our gentle whisperings woo the ear, With music aerial, still ’tis we. And ye list, and ye look; but what do ye see? Can ye hush one sound of our voice to peace, Or waken one note, when our numbers cease? Our dwelling is in the Almighty’s hand; We come and we go at His command: Though joy or sorrow may mark our track, His will is our guide, and we look not back: And if, in our wrath, ye would turn us away Or win us in gentlest air to play, Then lift up your hearts to Him who binds, Or frees as he will, the obedient winds.
We come! we come! and ye feel our might, And we’re hastening on in our boundless flight, And over the mountains, and over the deep Our broad invisible pinions sweep, Like the spirit of liberty, wild and free! And ye look on our works, and own ’tis we, Ye call us the winds; but can ye tell Whither we go, or where we dwell? Ye mark, as we vary our forms of power, And fell the forest, or fan the flower, When the harebell moves, and the rush is bent, When the tower’s o’erthrown, and the oak is rent, As we waft the bark o’er the slumbering wave, Or hurry its crew to a watery grave: And ye say it is we! but can ye trace The wandering winds to their secret place? And whether our breath be loud and high, Or come in a soft and balmy sigh, Our threatenings fill the soul with fear, Or our gentle whisperings woo the ear, With music aerial, still ’tis we. And ye list, and ye look; but what do ye see? Can ye hush one sound of our voice to peace, Or waken one note, when our numbers cease? Our dwelling is in the Almighty’s hand; We come and we go at His command: Though joy or sorrow may mark our track, His will is our guide, and we look not back: And if, in our wrath, ye would turn us away Or win us in gentlest air to play, Then lift up your hearts to Him who binds, Or frees as he will, the obedient winds.
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
- Miss Gould (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 670 · printed citation: Miss Gould · subject: WIND
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.