Last night my choir had its semester concert. We sang Wilberg, Chilcott, and a band new piece by Dan Forrest, among others. Because of the small size of our performing venue we sang the program twice, and the second performance was webcast. I am told there were 2,000 computer connections!
God gave me the special gift of a solo. The Chilcott “Jubilate” consists of 7 (I think) pieces all tied together by their sacred texts. The second of the set, “Song” (my solo), uses the words of Gerard Manley Hopkins’ “Prayer.” It was a delight and a privilege to sing this beautiful text.
Thee, God, I come from, to thee go,
All day long I like fountain flow
From thy hand out, swayed about
Mote-like in thy mighty glow.
What I know of thee I bless,
As acknowledging thy stress
On my being and as seeing
Something of thy holiness.
Once I turned from thee and hid,
Bound on what thou hadst forbid;
Sow the wind I would; I sinned:
I repent of what I did.
Bad I am, but yet thy child.
Father, be thou reconciled.
Spare thou me, since I see
With thy might that thou art mild.
I have life left with me still
And thy purpose to fulfil;
Yea a debt to pay thee yet:
Help me, sir, and so I will.
But thou bidst, and just thou art,
Me shew mercy from my heart
Towards my brother, every other
Man my mate and counterpart.
Dramatic Lyric 