SATB divisi, unaccompanied

NOTE FROM THE COMPOSER

Richard Crashaw (d. 1649) was an English poet, university professor, and cleric.  His poetry is strong in religious belief and encourages the highest of standards for humanity, while not being condescending or harsh in delivery.  Crashaw's poetry has an ardent devotion to women and gender perception.  After his mother died in his infancy, he was raised by his stepmother whom he dearly loved and who had a deep influence on his writing.  Religious oppression in England caused him to relocate to France and Italy for the last years of his life.  His writing is full of flamboyant imagery and a blend of emotion and intellect.

THE TEXT

The original 17th century text by Crashaw was edited and revised and is excerpted below:

     Come we shepherds whose blest sight
Has met Love's noon in luminous night;
Come, we lift up our loftier song
     And wake the sun that lies too long.

     Welcome not to silk nor gold,
     But bright dawn of eternal day.
     Not from the east but from your eyes.
     And chase the shades of dark away.

     Welcome, all wonders in one sight!
     Eternity wrap'd in angel wings,
     Summer in winter, day in night;
     Heaven in earth, all creation sings!

     To you, sweet Majesty of love
     We bring a pair of silver doves;
     Till burnt at last in ire of your fair eyes,
     Ourselves become our own best sacrifice.