Caroling Dusk/Russian Cathedral

by Claude McKay

RUSSIAN CATHEDRAL

Bow down my soul in worship very lowAnd in the holy silences be lost.Bow down before the marble man of woe,Bow down before the singing angel host.What jewelled glory fills my spirit’s eye!What golden grandeur moves the depths of me!The soaring arches lift me up on highTaking my breath with their rare symmetry.

Bow down my soul and let the wondrous lightOf beauty bathe thee from her lofty throne, Bow down before the wonder of man’s might.Bow down in worship, humble and alone;Bow lowly down before the sacred sightOf man’s divinity alive in stone.