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There Was a Time
for satb chorus
1/15
for SATB Chorus and Piano
Also available SSAA
Text by William Wordsworth
Elaine Hagenberg Music - EH1010
Description
William Wordsworth's reflection of a time gone by acknowledges past heartaches while creating a dream world where beautiful memories reign. As the voices subtly rise and fall to trace a distant rainbow, an ethereal piano accompaniment glistens above. Then together, they soar to new heights to “find strength in what remains behind.”
00:00 / 04:37
the Inspiration
Text
There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream,
The earth, and every common sight,
To me did seem
Apparell'd in celestial light,
The glory of a dream.
The rainbow comes and goes,
And lovely is the rose;
The moon doth with delight
Look round her when the heavens are bare;
Waters on a starry night
Are beautiful and fair;
The sunshine is a glorious birth;
But yet I know, where'er I go,
That there hath pass'd away a glory from the earth.
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind.
- William Wordsworth
Composer Notes
In the midst of unimaginable grief, Tim and Jennifer Powell had a beautiful vision to commission a new piece in memory of their 9-year-old daughter, Lily Kate Powell. Upon reading this touching poem by William Wordsworth, Jennifer thought these words would be a fitting text to remember her daughter's life. Although Wordsworth acknowledged pain and grief, he also celebrated beautiful memories and tender moments shared.
When I first began composing this piece, my aim was to weave shimmering memories of their time together alongside the dissonant heartache of reality.
Having witnessed a video of Lily innocently sitting at the piano and singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” I incorporated the same ascending octave in short melodic quotes throughout the piece.
The final line of Wordsworth's poem states "We will grieve not, / rather find Strength in what remains behind." Though Lily is no longer here, we can continue to celebrate her life by sharing her kindness and generous spirit.
“The earth, and every common sight,
To me did seem
Apparell'd in celestial light,
The glory of a dream...”
- William Wordsworth
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