And heaven had wanted one immortal song.

We did a bunch of these mellow, kind of like sad songs. But when he came in, he said we sounded old. It wasn't about age, but I got was he was saying.

The first group of songs which I give, on any program, are songs which I sing to please myself. They represent my musical taste.

He play'd an ancient ditty long since mute, In Provence call'd, "La belle dame sans merci."

I can make the most tasteless reference at some point and then go into one of my most earnest songs of the repertoire.

And grant that when I face the grisly Thing, My song may trumptet down the gray Perhaps Let me be as a tune-swept fiddlestring That feels the Master Melody--and snaps.