From the recording Lantern in a Poet's Garden
Friends sitting together at night under the moon: one, spilling out her troubles, the other, listening with tears and moonlight on her cheek. This is the poem and when I play and sing the song, my friend Ardyth (who sings harmony on the last verse) has tears on her face just like Danske's friend. To me, Ardyth's tears are a tribute - the song has hit home.
Lyrics
SYMPATHY
Poem, Danske Dandridge – Music, Terry Tucker
We talked together, you and I; it was a queenly night in June,
Low hung the moon in yonder sky and on your cheek low glanced the moon,
Your gentle hand was mine to hold; my ill-fed heart began to speak,
And ever, as the tale was told, dear friend, the moon was on your cheek.
Old loss that would not let me rest, old grief that slept, but ever lay
A languid load upon my breast awoke, and wept themselves away.
Up climbed the moon, slow waned the night and still you bent to hear me speak,
I drank the comfort of the light in those bright tears upon your cheek.
From off my life the burdens fall, still in their grave through tranquil years
They rest, those weary sorrows, all, that faded in the light of tears.