How Shall he Sing who Hath no Song?
The story follows a young man named John who has lost his voice and must find it again in order to fulfill his destiny as a singer. Along the way, he encounters various characters who help him on his journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The book explores themes of identity, purpose, and the power of music to transform lives.
By George MacDonald · First published 1869 · Genre: Poetry, Inspirational, Religious · 403 words
First lines
How shall he sing who hath no song? He laugh who hath no mirth? Will cannot wake the sleeping song! Yea, Love itself in vain may long To sing with them that have a song, Or, mirthless, laugh with Mirth! He who would sing but hath no song Must speak the right, denounce the wrong, Must humbly front the indignant throng, Must yield his back to Satire's thong, Nor shield his face from liar's prong, Must say and do and be the truth, And fearless wait for what ensueth, Wait, wait, with patience sweet and strong, Until God's glory fill the earth; Then shall he sing who had no song, He laugh who had no mirth!
What this Textopian page supports
How Shall he Sing who Hath no Song? is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1869 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1869 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Inspirational, Religious, Philosophical, Allegory
- Length: 403 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for How Shall he Sing who Hath no Song? by George MacDonald
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Inspirational — Themes of hope, perseverance, and divine justice are prevalent, aiming to inspire and uplift the reader.
- Religious — References to God and divine glory suggest a religious or spiritual undertone.
- Philosophical — Explores existential themes such as truth, righteousness, and the human condition.
Tags
spirituality · faith · suffering · redemption · identity · self-discovery · hope · grief · love · sacrifice · soul · inner turmoil