Prelude & Lullaby (2020)
tenor voice, piano
tenor voice, piano
Program Note Reflections on love and its ineffable nature, these two songs are united by the question “How could I love you more?” and the answer “I could not love thee more.” —Jacob Beranek |
click image for score sample
|
|
Texts
Prelude by Richard Aldington (1919) How could I love you more? I would give up Even that beauty I have loved too well That I might love you better. Alas, how poor the gifts that lovers give I can but give you of my flesh and strength, I can but give you these few passing days And passionate words that, since our speech began, All lovers whisper in all ladies' ears. I try to think of some one lovely gift No lover yet in all the world has found; I think: If the cold sombre gods Were hot with love as I am Could they not endow you with a star And fix bright youth for ever in your limbs? Could they not give you all things that I lack? You should have loved a god; I am but dust. Yet no god loves as loves this poor frail dust. |
A Lullaby by Janet Lewis (1938) Lullee, lullay, I could not love thee more If thou wast Christ the King. Now tell me, how did Mary know That in her womb should sleep and grow The Lord of everything? Lullee, lullay, An angel stood with her Who said: “That which doth stir Like summer in thy side Shall save the world from sin. Then stable, hall, and inn Shall cherish Christmas-tide.” Lullee, lullay, And so it was that Day. And did she love Him more Because an angel came To prophesy His name? Ah no, not so, She could not love Him more, But loved Him just the same. Lullee, lullay. |
