Dreams
Beyond, beyond the mountain line,
The grey-stone and the boulder,
Beyond the growth of dark green pine,
That crowns its western shoulder,
There lies that fairy land of mine,
Unseen of a beholder.
Its fruits are all like rubies rare,
Its streams are clear as glasses;
There golden castles hang in air,
And purple grapes in masses,
And noble knights and ladies fair
Come riding down the passes.
Ah me! they say if I could stand
Upon those mountain ledges,
I should but see on either hand
Plain fields and dusty hedges:
And yet I know my fairy land
Lies somewhere o’er their edges.
– Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895)
Sung by John Diamond
Date of Song’s Composition: 28 October, 2003
Commentary: Alexander was an Anglo-Irish hymn writer and poetess. Although best known for her hymn writing – including the well-known “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and the Christmas carol “Once in Royal David’s City” – she also wrote secular poems for children, of which this poem is a particularly lovely example.