The Earth has Music for those who will listen

Poem

Santayana or Shakespeare?

Also “The earth has music for those who will listen,” “The earth has its music for those who listen,” and so on. This one is easily mistaken as Shakespeare because the words remind us of “If music be the food of love play on” while the sentiment closely echoes Caliban’s “Be no afeard, the isle is full of noises, sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.” However, this one is George Santayana: “The earth has its music for those who will listen, Its bright variations forever abound; With all the wonders that God has bequeathed us, There is nothing that thrills like the magic of sound.” Thanks to “That’s Not Shakespeare,” who looks to be as upset about misattributed Shakespeare as I am This beautiful quote is oft attributed to Shakespeare or George Santayana, but only recently was it discovered to be written by an unknown poet, Reginald Holmes, as part of his poem, The Magic of Sound. I’ve heard the soft whisper of wind in the pine trees, The silvery ripple of brooklets at play; I’ve heard the low voice of a sweet singing mother As she sang to her child at the end of the day. I’ve heard the faint rustle of sails in the sunset And blue waves caressing the wild, rockbound shore; The whistle of trains as they cross the green prairie And mountains re-echo the cataract’s roar. The notes of the organs in ancient cathedrals, Where hearts of the faithful are lifted in song; I’ve heard the gay laughter as children were playing, The chatter and buzz of a large, happy throng. The earth has its music for those who will listen; Its bright variations forever abound. With all of the wonders that God has bequeathed us, There’s nothing that thrills like the magic of sound.