spaceman

'Too Cold to Sleep' is a reflection on the situation in which many vulnerable people are finding themselves in these difficult times. The discordant opening theme represents the gentle rocking of a cradle. This theme is twisted through nine variations, the fifth of which is an emotional meditation for solo violin. The opening theme returns, leading to a gentler and more beautiful version of the theme that sinks into a sense of acceptance.

'Too Cold For Sleep' for Violin and Piano (Studio Recording)

This piece uses the text of the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles, Singapore 1971, and Emily Dickinson's poem, 'Hope is the Thing With Feathers'. It is being performed by the Band of the Scots Guards and the Commonwealth Scholars' Choir.

'The Hope Of The Commonwealth' recorded By The Scots Guards

We've Got Good News

This setting of Psalm 139 is set with an arrangement of a traditional Bengali folksong.

Psalm 139 (Bhatiali)

Useful for the confession in the communion service.

Confession

This is a worship song about the value of sabbath rest.

You Give Rest To All Your Children

The tarantella is a dance from Taranto in southern Italy, the place that gave its name to the tarantula spider. Samuel Johnson described the tarantula as, ‘an insect whose bite is only cured by musick’. If bitten, you would dance a Taranella to drain the poison, with frequent shouts of ‘Hey!’ at moments of high excitement. Fans of the children’s TV show ‘Spider in the Bath’ may pick up on a cheeky reference to the theme tune.

False Widow Tarantella

‘The Sleep’ by Elizabeth Barrett-Browning, is a meditation on the phrase, 'He giveth his beloved sleep' from Psalm 127, which acts as a refrain throughout the poem and can be found on many of the graves in the Étaples War Cemetery. The ‘dreary noises’ of the earth are contrasted, both textually and musically, with the ‘happy slumber’ that God bestows on his people.
The piece was written by me and is performed by Tim Torry (baritone), Charles Hine (Clarinet) and Alan Bullard (Piano).

The Sleep by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806 – 1861)

Of all the thoughts of God that are 
Borne inward unto souls afar, 
Along the Psalmist`s music deep, 
Now tell me if that any is, 
For gift or grace, surpassing this - 
`He giveth His beloved sleep`? 

What would we give to our beloved? 
The hero`s heart to be unmoved, 
The poet`s star - tuned harp, to sweep, 
The patriot`s voice, to teach and rouse, 
The monarch`s crown, to light the brows? 
He giveth His beloved, sleep. 

`Sleep soft, beloved!` we sometimes say, 
But have no tune to charm away 
Sad dreams that through the eye - lids creep. 
But never doleful dream again 
Shall break the happy slumber when 
He giveth His beloved, sleep. 

O earth, so full of dreary noises! 
O men, with wailing in your voices! 
O delved gold, the wailers heap! 
O strife, O curse, that o`er it fall! 
God strikes a silence through you all, 
He giveth His beloved, sleep. 

For me, my heart that erst did go 
Most like a tired child at a show, 
That sees through tears the mummers leap, 
Would now its wearied vision close, 
Would child - like on His love repose, 
Who giveth His beloved, sleep. 

And, friends, dear friends, - when it shall be 
That this low breath is gone from me, 
And round my bier ye come to weep, 
Let One, most loving of you all, 
Say, `Not a tear must o`er her fall; 
He giveth His beloved, sleep.`
A little faith all undisproved.

CNM Performance of 'The Sleep' (poem by Elizabeth Barrett-Browning

Ian B Wilson

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