George Herbert speaks to church music as if it were a living friend. The speaker has been wounded by some “displeasure” that cut through body and mind—perhaps illness or spiritual distress—and the music pulled him out of that suffering, giving him a “dainty lodging” in a house of pleasure. Now, caught up in the sound, he feels he moves without his body, rising and falling as if carried on wings. The union is so close that they “sweetly live and love” together, though a sudden compassion breaks in: they sometimes murmur, “God help poor Kings,” as if earthly power misses this freeing delight. The final stanza turns urgent. The speaker says he will die if the music leaves him, but traveling in its company, he trusts it knows the way to heaven’s door. The mood is intimate and grateful, tinged with a trembling awareness that this spiritual comfort is what keeps him truly alive.
Church Music — Summary
Sweetest of sweets, I thank you: when displeasure Did through my body wound my mind, You took me thence, and in your house of pleasure A dainty lodging me assigned.
Now I in you without a body move, Rising and falling with your wings: We both together sweetly live and love, Yet say sometimes, "God help poor Kings".
Comfort, I'll die; for if you post from me Sure I shall do so, and much more: But if I travel in your company, You know the way to heaven's door.