Sweet baby, sleep; what ails my dear? What ails my darling thus to cry? Be still, my child, and lend thine ear To hear me sing thy lullaby. My pretty lamb, forbear to weep; Be still, my dear; sweet baby, sleep.
Whilst thus thy lullaby I sing, For thee great blessings ripening be; Thine eldest brother is a king, And hath a kingdom bought for thee. Sweet baby, then, forebear to weep, Be still, my dear; sweet baby, sleep.
The King of kings when he was born, Had not so much for outward ease; By him such dressings were not worn, Nor suchlike swaddling-clothes as these. Sweet baby, then, forbear to weep; Be still, my dear; sweet baby, sleep.
George Wither (1588-1667)
If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Commissioned by Samantha Price, GSA President 2021-2022 & Headmistress of Benenden School, to mark the Heads’ Conference, Manchester, November 2021
Performed by Benenden School Chapel Choir, directed by Edward Whiting, 2021
While I was still young, I sought Wisdom openly in my prayer. Before the temple I asked for her, and I will search for her until the end. From the first blossom to the ripening grape, my heart delighted in her.
My foot walked on the straight path, from my youth I followed her steps. I inclined my ear a little and received her, I found for myself much instruction. I made progress in Wisdom; to the One who sent her, I will give glory.
I directed my soul to Wisdom, and in purity have I found her. With her I gained understanding from the first, therefore will I never be forsaken. My heart was stirred to seek her, with my tongue will I sing God’s praise.
Ecclesiasticus 51.13a, 13c-17, 20, 21a, 22b
If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Performed by Eltham Choral Society, directed by Max Barley, 2024. Organ: Matthew Jorysz
Even such is time, that takes in trust Our youth, our joys, our all we have, And pays us but with age and dust; Who, in the dark and silent grave, When we have wandered all our ways, Shuts up the story of our days. But from this earth, this grave, this dust, My God shall raise me up, I trust.
Sir Walter Raleigh (1552-1618)
If you would like to perform all of Time and Tides or individual movements, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Performed by Eltham Choral Society, directed by Max Barley, 2024. Organ: Matthew Jorysz
When I heard the learn’d astronomer, When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me, When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them, When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room, How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick, Till rising and gliding out I wander’d off by myself, In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.
Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
If you would like to perform all of Time and Tides or individual movements, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
In this movement, an unaccompanied verse of singing is followed by an Organ Interlude based on the opening melody.
Performed by Eltham Choral Society, directed by Max Barley, 2024. Organ: Matthew Jorysz
Here fair Eliza, Virgin Queen From business free, enjoy’d the scene. Here oft in pensive mood she stood And kindly plan’d for Britain’s good: So record tells and this beside, Sung ditties to the silver tide Full worth such honours art thou still, Belov’d of thousands, One Tree Hill.
T. N. One Tree Hill, The London Chronicle May 25-27th, 1784
If you would like to perform all of Time and Tides or individual movements, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Performed by Eltham Choral Society, directed by Max Barley, 2024. Organ: Matthew Jorysz. Tambourine: Josh Hutchinson
Oh, a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm, And a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm, And a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm, And we’ll all hang on behind.
Come on and roll the old chariot along, We’ll roll the old chariot along, And we’ll roll the old chariot along, And we’ll all hang on behind!
Oh, a bottle of rum wouldn’t do us any harm, And a bottle of rum wouldn’t do us any harm, And a bottle of rum wouldn’t do us any harm, And we’ll all hang on behind.
Come on and roll the old chariot along, We’ll roll the old chariot along, And we’ll roll the old chariot along, And we’ll all hang on behind!
Oh, a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm, And a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm, And a drop of Nelson’s blood wouldn’t do us any harm, And we’ll all hang on behind.
Come on and roll the old chariot along, We’ll roll the old chariot along, And we’ll roll the old chariot along, And we’ll all hang on behind!
Traditional
If you would like to perform all of Time and Tides or individual movements, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Performed by Eltham Choral Society, directed by Max Barley, 2024. Organ: Matthew Jorysz
The Lady Oriana Was dight all in the treasures of Guiana; And on her Grace a thousand Graces tended: And thus sang they: Fair Queen of peace and plenty, The fairest Queen of twenty. Then with an olive wreath, for peace renowned, Her virgin head they crowned: Which ceremony ended, Unto her Grace the thousand Graces bended. Then sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana: Long live fair Oriana.
John Wilbye (1574-1638)
If you would like to perform all of Time and Tides or individual movements, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Performed by Eltham Choral Society, directed by Max Barley, 2024. Organ: Matthew Jorysz
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
If you would like to perform all of Time and Tides or individual movements, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
