“The earth has its music for those who will listen.”
Often misattributed to Shakespeare, because the words remind us of “If music be the food of love play on”. Statement is also commonly associated with Santayana, but no source or attribution can be found in his works or correspondence.
Variant: The earth has music for those who listen.
Source: Book Fireside Fancies, Poem The Magic of Sound. 1955.
Context: I've heard the soft whisper of wind in the pine trees,
The silvery ripple of brooklets at play;
I've heard the low voice of a sweet singing mother
As she sang to her child at the end of the day.
I've heard the faint rustle of sails in the sunset
And blue waves caressing the wild, rockbound shore;
The whistle of trains as they cross the green prairie
And mountains re-echo the cataract’s roar.
The notes of the organs in ancient cathedrals,
Where hearts of the faithful are lifted in song;
I've heard the gay laughter as children were playing,
The chatter and buzz of a large, happy throng.
The earth has its music for those who will listen;
Its bright variations forever abound.
With all of the wonders that God has bequeathed us,
There's nothing that thrills like the magic of sound.
