Is it Shakespeare... or Bill Withers?

[Abbey Marie]

(I want "thread title of the month award" for this one, btw ;) )

One of my favorite pieces of writing, Shakespeare's Sonnet # 29, was included in my wedding program- because it is such a joyous expression of the way your beloved can change your moment, your day, your life:

Sonnet XXIX

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts my self almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.


And then there is Bill Withers. I believe these lyrics are actually an adorable retelling of the Sonnet's story.
And it's a great song, too.


"Lovely Day"

When I wake up in the morning, love
And the sunlight hurts my eyes
And something without warning, love
Bears heavy on my mind

Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day
... lovely day, lovely day, lovely day ...

When the day that lies ahead of me
Seems impossible to face
When someone else instead of me
Always seems to know the way

Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day.....

When the day that lies ahead of me
Seems impossible to face
When someone else instead of me
Always seems to know the way

Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be

A lovely day.....


[video]<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sYi7uEvEEmk" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

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Thought I'd share something special on this gray day...

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Thanks for presenting such a positive and uplifting post my friend!!
My two favorite of his best sonnets are Sonnet 106 and Sonnet 29...
You've already quoted sonnet 29.
Here is his sonnet 106---


Sonnet 106

When in the chronicle of wasted time
I see descriptions of the fairest wights,
And beauty making beautiful old rhyme,
In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights,
Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty's best,
Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,
I see their antique pen would have expressed
Even such a beauty as you master now.
So all their praises are but prophecies
Of this our time, all you prefiguring,
And, for they looked but with divining eyes,
They had not skill enough your worth to sing:
For we, which now behold these present days,
Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.

[Abbey Marie]

Thanks for presenting such a positive and uplifting post my friend!!
My two favorite of his best sonnets are Sonnet 106 and Sonnet 29...
You've already quoted sonnet 29.
Here is his sonnet 106---


Sonnet 106

When in the chronicle of wasted time
I see descriptions of the fairest wights,
And beauty making beautiful old rhyme,
In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights,
Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty's best,
Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,
I see their antique pen would have expressed
Even such a beauty as you master now.
So all their praises are but prophecies
Of this our time, all you prefiguring,
And, for they looked but with divining eyes,
They had not skill enough your worth to sing:
For we, which now behold these present days,
Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.

Beautiful choice, my friend...

[Gunny]

(I want "thread title of the month award" for this one, btw ;) )

One of my favorite pieces of writing, Shakespeare's Sonnet # 29, was included in my wedding program- because it is such a joyous expression of the way your beloved can change your moment, your day, your life:

Sonnet XXIX

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts my self almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.


And then there is Bill Withers. I believe these lyrics are actually an adorable retelling of the Sonnet's story.
And it's a great song, too.


"Lovely Day"

When I wake up in the morning, love
And the sunlight hurts my eyes
And something without warning, love
Bears heavy on my mind

Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day
... lovely day, lovely day, lovely day ...

When the day that lies ahead of me
Seems impossible to face
When someone else instead of me
Always seems to know the way

Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day.....

When the day that lies ahead of me
Seems impossible to face
When someone else instead of me
Always seems to know the way

Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be

A lovely day.....


[video]<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sYi7uEvEEmk" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

video]




Thought I'd share something special on this gray day...Yuck. :)