A Girl Was Singing In A Church Choir

By Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Blok

A girl was singing in a church choir

Of the weary people on foreign soil,

Of all the ships that sailed aspired,

Of all, who have forgotten their joy.

So sang her voice, to the cupola reaching,

White shoulders aglow in a dazzling ray,

And in the dark all were watching and harking

To the white dress singing in the ray.

And it seemed to them that joy was coming,

That all the ships, made a quiet berth,

That the weary people far from home dwelling

Found a happy life for themselves.

And the voice was sweet, and the ray was tiny,

And only up high, next to the Royal gate,

Privy to mysteries, — a child was crying

That homecoming is no one’s fate.