The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come.
Song of Solomon 2:12
Words: Alice J. Cleator, in Uplifted Voices, edited by Adam Geibel and R. Frank Lehman (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Geibel & Lehman, 1901), number 180, alt.
Music: Adam Geibel (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Cleator (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Lilies of Easter, wondrously fair,
Breathing thy sweetness, on the still air;
What is the message ye would impart,
Into the silence of saddened hearts?
Refrain
Beautiful Easter lilies,
Bring to our hearts the word,
Of One more fair and lovely,
Jesus the risen Lord;
Beautiful Easter lilies,
Bring to our hearts the word,
Of One more fair and lovely,
Jesus the risen Lord.
Hark to the whispers of the fair bloom,
Risen from silence of their dark tomb;
We bring an answer to doubt and strife,
We bring a message of risen life.
Refrain
Out from the stillness of earth’s dark mold,
Into new beauty, lilies unfold;
Ever their presence in the still air,
Are signs and symbols of life most fair.
Refrain