Mabel Dearmer's text is based on an untitled poem by French poet Paul Verlaine from his collection entitled "Sagesse."
The sky above the roof
Is calm and sweet
A tree above the roof
Bends in the heat
A bell from out the blue
Drowsily rings
A bird from out the blue
Plaintively sings
Ah God! A life is here,
Simple and fair
Murmurs of strife are here
Lost in the air
Why dost thou weep O heart
Poured out in tears?
What hast thou done O heart,
With thy spent years?