The Frostbound Wood
David W Solomons
Out of the blue, Tom Clarke sent me this poem, so I set it - possibly one of my best choral settings.
The first live performance was given by Liedertafel in Oxford on 20 December 2006
The following link goes to the score of the SATB version:
A robin brought some holly all covered in snow.
The cruel wind blows.
From each little berry fell drops of blood,
Which covered the earth where the Virgin once stood.
The cruel wind blows.
Dark was the sky when Angels came to stay,
They brought old lanterns to lead the way.
The cruel wind blows.
Candles brightly shine for all to see,
They glow tonight through the ageing year.
Tender are the lilies as soft as her gown
And white are the ringlets that fall to the ground.
Mary with her child upon this Winter night,
She walked through the darkness with yellow candle light.
North winds blow across the fields,
But only one child continues to dream.
The cruel wind blows The cruel wind blows.
©Tom Clarke