I Know My Mind

"I Know My Mind" is an art song composed by Margaret Bonds with text derived from the poem of the same name by Edna St Vincent Millay. The song is part of Bonds' song cycle, Four Songs.

Date: 1965Composer: Margaret BondsText: Edna St. Vincent MillaySong Collection: Four Songs

Print vitals & song text

Audio

Track:

    Text

    I know my mind and I have made my choice;
    Not from your temper does my doom depend;
    Love me or love me not, you have no voice
    In this, which is my portion to the end.
    Your presence and your favours, the full part
    That you could give, you now can take away:
    What lies between your beauty and my heart
    Not even you can trouble or betray.
    Mistake me not — unto my inmost core
    I do desire your kiss upon my mouth;
    They have not craved a cup of water more
    That bleach upon the deserts of the south;
    Here might you bless me; what you cannot do
    Is bow me down, who have been loved by you.

    Recordings

    Show Me the Way

    (Jasmine Barnes, Amy Marcy Beach, Margaret Bonds, Libby Larsen and Florence Price)

    2024

    Support us and help us grow

    Dear friends, Thank you for helping us build a comprehensive online archive of American song. Your gift is greatly appreciated.