SATB, a cappella

When Dr. Kevin Coker approached me about collaborating on a choral song cycle, we talked through many different themes that we felt might tie a set of pieces together.  In a previous work, Color Madrigals, I had used the color wheel and texts by John Keats as a jumping-off point so, for this new cycle, we entertained various ways to do the same.  The idea we hit upon that we thought might yield something interesting was a song cycle based around something entirely quotidian (literally): the days of the week.  We sometimes see the week as a thing to make it through, but momentous events like the first atomic bomb being dropped on Hiroshima and man’s first steps on the surface of the moon happened, boringly enough, on a Monday.  But more personal stories—falling in love, having a child, losing a parent—can also happen to us no matter what day of the week it is.  Thus, Songs for Seven Days was born.

To that end, I searched for texts that mentioned each day of the week and came up with some beautifully diverse offerings.  For the fifth movement, I asked Austin, Texas-based singer/songwriter Shane Bartell if he might come up with something.  He responded with a beautiful text about taking a chance and changing your surroundings in order to earnestly chase happiness.

Songs for Seven Days was commissioned by the Blue Valley Northwest High School Chamber Singers (Dr. Kevin Coker, conductor) for their performance at the 2014 Kansas Music Educators Convention.

Note: On Thursday he leaves is the fifth movement of Songs for Seven Days. It can be purchased and performed separately.

The Text

On Thursday he leaves

     by Shane Bartell (b. 1973)

On Thursday he leaves,
This time he believes.
Nothing can stop him,
No last minute reprieve.

He’ll sail far away.
Really why would he stay?
Point the ship at the sun
And follow the wake.

“Next Thursday, I’ll go.”
As he readies the boat,
Hoisting the sails,
Pull the anchor and float.

Check the air, watch the weather,
“Son, pull it together...
“If the wind should go flat,
Just row.”

On Thursday he leaves.
He imagines they’ll grieve.
With the sun in his eyes
He’ll head East.