When Thou Art Nigh.

When thou art nigh, it seems
    A new creation round;
The sun hath fairer beams,
    The lute a softer sound.
Tho' thee alone I see,
    And hear alone thy sigh,
'Tis light, 'tis song to me,
    Tis all--when thou art nigh.

When thou art nigh, no thought
    Of grief comes o'er my heart;
I only think--could aught
    But joy be where thou art?
Life seems a waste of breath,
    When far from thee I sigh;
And death--ay, even death
    Were sweet, if thou wert nigh.

Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore was an Irish poet, singer, and songwriter, celebrated for his Irish Melodies, which are now considered a staple of Irish cultural heritage. Born on May 28, 1779, in Dublin, Ireland, Moore gained fame for his lyrical songs, many of which were set to traditional Irish tunes. Not only a poet, but he was also a staunch advocate of Irish nationalism, often incorporating themes of national identity and resistance into his work. Moore's influential collection 'Irish Melodies' became popular in both Ireland and Britain and helped to define the literary output of the era. He passed away on February 25, 1852, but his legacy in Irish literature and music endures.

Thomas Moore

English

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