Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2024
The sun has set, and the long grass now Waves dreamily in the evening wind; And the wild bird has flown from that old gray stone In some warm nook a couch to find.
In all the lonely landscape round I see no light and hear no sound, Except the wind that far away Come sighing o’er the healthy sea.
Emily Brontë (1818-1848)
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.
Psalm 22:1-2
I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.
Psalm 120:1
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.
This is the version for SATB. If you would like to see the versions for SSA or SAB, please click here: SSA SAB
SATB and Piano
c. 3’50”
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five-pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar, “O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are! What a beautiful Pussy you are!”
Pussy said to the Owl, “You elegant fowl! How charmingly sweet you sing! O let us be married! too long we have tarried: But what shall we do for a ring?” They sailed away, for a year and a day, To the land where the Bong-Tree grows And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood With a ring at the end of his nose, His nose, His nose, With a ring at the end of his nose.
“Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring?” Said the Piggy, “I will.” So they took it away, and were married next day By the Turkey who lives on the hill. They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon, The moon, The moon, They danced by the light of the moon.
Edward Lear (1812-1888)
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Commissioned for the National Youth Choir Fellowship Ensemble
‘Will you walk a little faster?’ said a whiting to a snail. ‘There’s a porpoise close behind us, and he’s treading on my tail. See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance! They are waiting on the shingle – will you come and join the dance? Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the dance? Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance?
‘You can really have no notion how delightful it will be When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!’ But the snail replied, ‘Too far, too far!’ and gave a look askance – Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance.
‘What matters it how far we go?’ his scaly friend replied. ‘There is another shore, you know, upon the other side. The further off from England the nearer is to France – Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance. Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the dance? Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance?’
Lewis Carroll (1832–1898) From Alice in Wonderland
The Mock Turtle’s Song
Published by Stainer & Bell in 2026, this is a setting of a poem from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
‘Its fun is infectious, with swung rhythms in a barbershop style that add their own brand of humour to this musical setting of Lewis Carroll’s cherished lyrics.’
Performed by Clifton Cathedral Choir, directed by David Bednall, 2023
The Lord is my shepherd: Therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture: And lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul: And bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: For Thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me Thou hast anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full. But Thy loving kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23
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.
SATB with Soprano, Tenor and Baritone Solos, splits up to SATTBB
c. 3’20”
Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2025. Soloists: Alex Scott and Peter Waters
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made; Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee, And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; There midnight’s all aglimmer, and noon a purple glow, And evening full of the linnet’s wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore; While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey, I hear it in the deep heart’s core.
W.B. Yeats (1865-1939)
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Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022
Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths, Enwrought with golden and silver light, The blue and the dim and the dark cloths Of night and light and the half light, I would spread the cloths under your feet: But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
W. B. Yeats (1865–1939)
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.
SATB with Soprano, Alto and Tenor Solos, splits up to SSAATTB
c. 4’30”
Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2025
Arise, shine for thy light is come: And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people. But the Lord shall arise upon thee: And his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light: And Kings to the brightness of thy rising. Therefore the gate shall be open continually: They shall not be shut day nor night. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land: Wasting nor destruction within thy borders. But thou shalt call thy walls salvation and thy gates praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day: Neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee. But the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light and thy God thy Glory. And they shall call thee the city of the Lord: The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: world without end, Amen.
Matins Canticle during Epiphanytide (Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 18, 19, 14b)
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Performed by the University of Bristol Church Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2021. Organ: Isaac Powell
You have searched me Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Search me, O God, and know my heart; and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24
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.
