Three Nightsongs

1. Evening
2. Moon Song
3. Water

SSAA and piano

Nature can often be a poet’s best friend as well as their worst enemy.  Although it provides a wealth of inspiration in many different guises, there isn’t much about it that hasn’t essentially already been said.  Ms. Conkling (who wrote the poetry between the ages of 5 and 7!) achieves this by being articulate without describing too much.  Her metaphors are beautiful yet simple and, for my part, that is exactly how I tried to keep the music.

Three Nightsongs was commissioned by Good Company in honor of Evelyn Hitchman Divelbiss (1906-2004) and received its premiere on May 1, 2005. It’s dedicated in friendship and gratitude to my fellow composer and friend, Abbie Betinis.

The Texts

By Hilda Conkling (1910-1986)
Adapted by the composer

Evening
Now it is dusky,
And the hermit thrush and the black and white warbler
Are singing and answering together.
There is a sweetness in the tree,
And fireflies are counting the leaves.
I like this country,
I like the way it has,
But I cannot forget my dream I had of the sea,
The gulls swinging and calling,
And the foamy towers of the waves.

Moon Song
There is a star that runs very fast,
That goes pulling the moon
Through the tops of the poplars.
It is all in silver,
That tall star:
The moon rolls goldenly along
Out of breath.
Mr. Moon, does he make you hurry?

Water
The world turns softly
Not to spill its lakes and rivers.
The water is held in its arms
And the sky is held in the water.
What is water,
That pours silver,
And can hold the sky?

Performed by the Hopkins High School Bel Canto
(Dr. Matthew Culloton, conductor).