The Sun kept setting — setting — still

"The Sun kept setting — setting — still" is the first song in Leo Smit's song cycle Beyond Circumference. Beyond Circumference is the fourth of Smit's six song cycles setting the poetry of Emily Dickinson.

For more information about Leo Smit's Emily Dickinson song cycles, please visit the pages for The Ecstatic Pilgrimage and Leo Smit.

For inquiries about Leo Smit and to obtain sheet music, please contact Nils Vigeland at [email protected].

Date: 1990Composer: Leo SmitText: Emily DickinsonSong Collection: Beyond Circumference

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The Sun kept setting — setting — still (poem 692)
by Emily Dickinson

The Sun kept setting — setting — still
No Hue of Afternoon —
Upon the Village I perceived
From House to House ’twas Noon —

The Dusk kept dropping — dropping — still
No Dew upon the Grass —
But only on my Forehead stopped —
And wandered in my Face —

My Feet kept drowsing — drowsing — still
My fingers were awake —
Yet why so little sound — Myself
Unto my Seeming — make?

How well I knew the Light before —
I could see it now —
‘Tis Dying — I am doing — but
I’m not afraid to know —

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