A captivating song of warning, written by William Walker and a special hymn by Charlotte Elizabeth that has me thinking more about each line:

Soldier, go, but not to claim
Mould’ring spoils of earth-born treasure;
Not to build a vaunting name,
Not to dwell in tents of pleasure:
Dream not that the way is smooth,
Hope not that the thorns are roses;
Turn no wishful eye of youth,
Where the sunny beam reposes,
Thou hast sterner work to do
Hosts to cut thy passage thru;
Close behind thee gulfs are burning –
Forward, then there’s no returning.

Soldier, rest; – but not for thee
Spreads the world her downy pillow;
On the rock thy couch must be,
While around thee chafes the billow:
Thine must be a watchful sleep
wearier than another’s waking.
Such a charge as thou must keep,
Brooks no moment of forsaking:
Sleep as on the battlefield,
Girded – grasping sword and shield;
Those thou canst not name nor number,
Steal upon thy broken slumber.

317 CH The Christian Soldier

Sacred Harp - 33b - Abbeville. Sung in Durham, NC, spring 2020.

Abbeville - Lydia Stefani Kyle Molly

Lydia's alto and low treble embrace Liora's tenor line. Their voices merge so beautifully that I do not, at least in this moment, want to add anything more.

CB 380b Humble Pleading LLL - Lydia And Liora

(Called by Chair Steve Brett to close the Gwehelog double all-day 2023)

203 Cumberland

I would not live alway; I ask not to stay
Where storm after storm rises dark o'er the way;
The few lucid mornings that dawn on us here,
Are followed by gloom or beclouded with fear.

I would not Iive alway, thus fettered by sin;
Temptation without and corruption within;
E'en the rapture of pardon is mingled with fears,
And the cup of thanksgiving with penitent tears.

I would not live alway; no, welcome the tomb;
Since Jesus has lain there I dread not its gloom.
There sweet be my rest till He bid me arise
To hail Him in triumph descending the skies.

American shape note hymn, arranged by JR Daily, 1902. Words by William Augustus Muhlenburg, 1826. Sung by Katy Kanfer (lead), Mary Helen Dupree and Rachel Hall (altos), and Daniel Hunter (bass) at Camp DoReMi 2014.


Resignation (I Would Not Live Alway)

From the upcoming album Midsummer Tideline. There is a kickstarter underway to fund a vinyl release for the record here: https://shorturl.at/MR2yb

Ian Humberstone - Over And Over

http://sacredharptunes.com/stevebrett/southminster/
Bristol new compositions singing, October 2017.

TASCAM DR-05

Southminster

I'd like to dedicate this song to Edwina, who has had a very long year already. Forgive my liberties with it.

Love The Lord C.M. (375 Sacred Harp)

waking at dusk in a medieval monastery and finding yourself with only the rats and the stones for company. it's going to be a long night. you leave some of your bread by the door, remember better things and wait for dawn.

hide (rough edit)

Demo recording - Gabi and Liam on cross-tuned fiddles, Dan on guitar.

Big Scioty

i sing with @bristolsacredharp. most of the stuff I post on here is sacred harp or folk hymnody related. for my other music, see the @nervybetters

Southminster

Steve Brett

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