An Astrologer's Song, by Rudyard Kipling, 1910, Music by Erich Schraer, 1983
  1. To the heavens above us
          O look and behold
    The planets that love us
          All harnessed in gold!
    What chariots, what horses
          Against us shall bide
    While the stars in their courses
          Do fight on our side?

  2. All thought, all desires,
          That are under the sun,
    Are one with their fires,
          As we also are one.
    All matter, all spirit,
          All fashion, all frame,
    Receive and inherit
          Their strength from the same.

  3. Oh, man that deniest
          All power save thine own,
    Their power in the highest
          Is mightily shown.
    Not less in the lowest
          That power is made clear.
    (Oh, man, if thou knowest,
          What treasure is here!)

  4. Earth quakes in her throes,
          And we wonder for why.
    But the blind planet knows
          When her ruler is nigh;
    And, attuned since Creation
          To perfect accord,
    She thrills in her station
          And yearns to her Lord.

  1. The waters have risen,
          The springs are unbound—
    The floods break their prison,
          And ravin around.
    No rampart withstands 'em,
          Their fury will last,
    Till the sign that commands 'em
          Sinks low or swings past.

  2. Through abysses unproven,
          O'er gulfs beyond thought,
    Our portion is woven,
          Our burden is brought.
    Yet they that prepare it,
          Whose nature we share,
    Make us who must bear it
          Well able to bear.

  3. Though terrors o'ertake us
          We'll not be afraid.
    No power can unmake us
          Save that which has made:
    Nor yet beyond reason
          Or hope shall we fall—
    All things have their season,
          And Mercy crowns all!

  4. Then doubt not, ye fearful—
          The Eternal is king—
    Up, heart, and be cheerful,
          And lustily sing:—
    What chariots, what horses,
          Against us shall bide
    While the stars in their courses
          Do fight on our side?

The Rudyard Kipling poem is to be found in Rewards and Fairies, published in 1910. The music shown is the key I sing it in. On the guitar I capo at the third fret and play in A Minor.


Music copyright © 2004 Erich Schraer