The Burning Babe (text: Robert Southwell) for Tenor & Percussion (2016)
Performance History:
Christopher Nakielski, tenor Darron Carr, percussion Voxman Concert Hall (Iowa City, IA) 23 October & 5 November 2016 |
As I in hoary Winters night stoode shyveringe in the snowe
Surpris’d I was with sodayne heat, which made my hart to glowe And lifting upp a fearefull eye to vewe what fire was nere A pretty babe all burning bright did in the ayre appeare Who scorched with excessive heate such floodes of teares did shedd As though his floodes should quench his flames, which with his tears were fedd. Alas, quoth he, but newly borne in fiery heates I frye Yet none approach to warme their hartes or feele my fire but I. My faultles brest the furnace is, the fuell woundinge thornes Love is the fire and sighs the smoke, the ashes shame and scornes; The fewell Justice layeth on and Mercy blowes the coales, The metall in this furnace wrought are mens defiled soules For which as nowe on fire I am to worke them to their good So will I melt into a bathe to wash them in my bloode. With this he vanisht out of sight and swiftly shronke awaye And straight I called unto mynde, that it was Christmas daye. Text; Robert Southwell |
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