Imaginary Lines

SATB and four-hands piano

In June of 2011 I attended a wedding in the Twin Cities and, during the ceremony, someone read an edited version of Whitman’s “Song of the Open Road.” Since I’m always on the lookout for interesting poetry to set, I decided to take a closer look at that text to see if it would work for a new choral piece I was scheduled to write. Unfortunately, by the time I got back to Austin, I had remembered the title wrong and ended up reading his poem, “Song of Myself,” instead. Luckily, I eventually realized my mistake and went on to read “Song of the Open Road” as I had initially intended (two for the price of one, I suppose). 

However, my mistake turned out to be a fortunate one because what I ended up doing was crafting my own edit of “…Open Road” and then adding a few lines from the other poem in order to supplement some of the sentiments I was aiming for. My new version started off as a text meant to empower young people to independence. Unfortunately, it started to sound a bit selfish; just a person reveling in their newfound freedom without an appreciation for it. To that end, I moved a few lines around and made the conclusion of the piece about bringing others to that amazing feeling of unrestrained optimism and opportunity instead of solely basking in it by yourself. In other words, it’s about empowerment but, ultimately, service. I feel like that’s a good message for anyone to hear every now and then and, hopefully, Walt would agree with me.

Imaginary Lines was commissioned by the Flower Mound High School Jaguar Chorale (Dr. Mark Rohwer, conductor).

The Text

By Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
(Adapted by the composer)

I take to the open road,
Afoot and light-hearted,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path leading wherever I choose.

From this hour, freedom!
From this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines,
Going where I list, my own master, total and absolute,
Pausing, searching, contemplating,
Gently, but divesting myself of the holds that would hold me.

I am larger, better than I thought;
I did not know I held so much goodness.

All seems beautiful to me;
Clear and sweet is my soul.

The earth expanding right hand and left
The picture alive, every part in its best light,

The music…
The music, falling where it is wanted…

These are the thoughts of all,
These are the days that must happen to you;
Forever alive, forever forward…

Mon enfant! I give you my hand!
These are the thoughts in all ages and lands!

Performed by the Flower Mound High School Jaguar Chorale
(Dr. Mark Rohwer, conductor).