SSAA/SATB, 2 handbells, vocal sounds
SSAA version published by Pavane Publishing (coming soon)
This beautiful poem by Robert Louis Stevenson employs a myriad number of images to evoke the sights and sounds of winter. To add to the setting, the composer uses vocal and physical sound effects: whistling for wind and crumbled paper for fire.
Duration: 4’
Libretto:
Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.
Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.
Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.
When to go out, my nurse doth wrap
Me in my comforter and cap;
The cold wind burns my face, and blows
Its frosty pepper up my nose.
Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding-cake.