From the recording Choral
performed by the Cardinalis Choir and NEC Chamber Singers
conducted by Erica Washburn
Calvin Permenter, piano
William Jewell College's Gano Chapel Kansas City, MO
April 2, 2017
Lyrics
my love is building a building
around you, a frail slippery
house, a strong fragile house
(beginning at the singular beginning
of your smile)a skilful uncouth
prison, a precise clumsy
prison(building that and this into Thus, Around the reckless magic of your mouth)
my love is building a magic, a discrete
tower of magic and(as i guess)
when Farmer Death(whom fairies hate)shall
crumble the mouth-flower fleet
He’ll not my tower,
laborious, casual
where the surrounded smile
hangs
breathless
- e.e.cummings (1922)