What was my interpretation of the poem? How overtly religious did I want it to be? I chose to retain much of the original narrative religious content, but made more subtle the ending message. Then I organized the images and "storyline" into a program which would work as a choral piece. First I obtained a copy of the original text and a literal translation. My task was to render this poem in English in a way that makes sense as a choral work, but which maintains the flavor and integrity of the original.
THE GROUND OLA GJEILO LYRICS FULL
The Norwegian poem "Draumkvedet" is a dense and enigmatic text, full of mysticism and puzzling images. I have always been fascinated by the juxtaposition of the little baby and the future sacrifice he will make-in the words of a favorite Amy Grant song, “Fragile fingers sent to heal us,/ Tender brow prepared for thorn,/ Tiny heart whose blood will save us,/ Unto us is born!” Wow.ĭREAMWEAVER (2012) for Ola Gjeilo This little poem was commissioned by composer Dan Forrest to replace the text of his previously-published “Basque Lullaby” with a Christmas text. We wait all year long for various milestones, both those natural and those declared.Ī CHRISTMAS LULLABY (2010) for Dan Forrest Advent is a time of waiting, of preparation. The images here are among the multiple roles the Mother plays as the wheel of the seasons turns about us. THE CHELSEA CAROL (2012) for Eric Whitacre įor this Advent text I chose a darker, more overtly pagan hymn to the Mother (Virgin or otherwise) adapted from an earlier version entitled Adveni, Sapientia. Dan wanted a text about a bell, and I chose to tell the story of the bronze bell, from the mining of the copper and tin from the ground, to the early life of that bronze as weapons of war, and then to its reforging as a bell. Ola had asked me for several poems relating to the theme of rebirth, and I gave him this twist on the usual theme, using the image of the phoenix as the symbol of rebirth.Ī BRONZE TRIPTYCH (2012) for Dan Forrest Ĭommissioned in celebration of the anniversary of a university whose symbol was a bell.
ACROSS THE VAST, ETERNAL SKY (2010) for Ola Gjeilo Ĭommissioned for the Salt Lake Vocal Artists and their conductor, Brady Allred.
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