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There Was a Time
for ssaa chorus
1/12
for SSAA Chorus and Piano
Also available SATB
Text by William Wordsworth
Elaine Hagenberg Music - EH1024
Description
Now re-voiced for SSAA, 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 / 04:30
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.
“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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