A castle stands ’neath western skies
A castle stands ’neath western skies
Gold shields its roof have studded;
The evening sun behind it dies
Midst cloud banks so newly ruddied.
That castle by no hand is wrought:
Perfectly though it’s gilded;
Its gate soars up to heaven’s court;
Our Lord Himself did once built it.
From thousand turrets sparkles gold,
Amber its gate is gleaming;
The sea reflects its walls of old,
With pillars of sun’s rays teeming.
God’s sun into its castle crowds,
Purple raiment inflaming,
On battlements in rosy clouds
Light’s banner’s glory proclaiming.
Sun’s angel waves the flag of light,
Sets off for distant quarters;
Life, light and day him follow right
Behind night’s loud foaming waters.
And like the sun life seeks the coast
Full of transfiguration
Where sun the east once more will host
With paradise as its station.
One of Ingemann's most famous, and most sung, poems. It dates from 1838, with music composed that same year by C.E.F. Weyse. The recording by Aksel Schiøtz is probably the most famous. For snippets of ten different versions, go to iStores and search for 'vesterled'
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