THE LOST CHORDS
1877, Words by Adelaide Ann Proctor,
Music by Arthur Sullivan
This version © 2008 Suzannah Doyle Music

Seated one day at the organ, 
I was weary and ill at ease, 
And my fingers wandered idly 
Over the noisy keys. 
I know not what I was playing, 
Or what I was dreaming then; 
But I struck one chord of music, 
Like the sound of a great Amen. 

It flooded the crimson twilight, 
Like the close of an angel's psalm, 
And it lay on my fevered spirit 
With a touch of infinite calm. 
It quieted pain and sorrow, 
Like love overcoming strife; 
It seemed the harmonious echo 
From our discordant life. 

It linked all perplexe´d meanings 
Into one perfect peace, 
And trembled away into silence 
As if it were loth to cease. 
I have sought, but I seek it vainly, 
That one lost chord divine, 
Which came from the soul of the organ, 
And entered into mine. 

It may be that death's bright angel 
Will speak in that chord again, 
It may be that only in Heav'n 
I shall hear that grand Amen.