Poem by Walt Whitman, Music & Arrangement by Eric L. Carlson (ASCAP)

Written for the Intermezzo Choir of Waterford High School,
Derek Machan, director

Also dedicated to my daughter, Rachel Carlson

On this recording:
Soprano & Alto, Kayla Carlson
Tenor & Bass, Eric Carlson
Piano, Eric Carlson
Cello, Lindsay Fischer

Text:
Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)

Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,

Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.
That you are here—that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

"What will your verse be?" (taken from Dead Poet's Society after Robin Williams' character recites above poem)

Oh Me! Oh Life! [poem by Walt Whitman]  (SATB w/Cello)

These are mp3s of my upcoming album entitled "Journey Home", to be released in early December 2000, recorded and mastered by Joe Bongiorno at Piano Haven Recording Studio in Sedona, AZ.

Eric L. Carlson (ASCAP)

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