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Fear Not, Precious Child! - by René Damen

from Will There be a Spring? by The USM Composers Ensemble

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about

This composition was created for the 2020 Spring Semester Composers Ensemble but not live performed, as would be normally the case, due to the restrictions caused by the Coronavirus Outbreak. My intention was to write a traditional tonal piece with a baroque-style undercurrent, and based on an uplifting message from a mother to her young child. The location is 17th century England, the scene is the First English Civil War, the year is 1642. Both have to try to cope with the fall-out when horrible news of their father and husband arrives from the battlefield.

A short video setting the scene, is available here: vimeo.com/408088437

More of René Damen’s music and his life as a composer is available at www.renedamen.com

lyrics

Fear Not, Precious Child!
(The darkness will pass)
Lyrics by Langston Snodgrass


Oh, Gideon, why did you have to die!


My beloved warrior,
So dark the pain now!
Husband, father, what shall I say to our child?
Bereft of your courage,
What is left for us?


I must now be brave.


Oh, Sarah, child, so innocent,
Hold me tight.
We will be stronger through love,
My precious child.


Life's battlefields
May tear our world apart,
Still, we are bonded by love.
Cry not, my child.


Your father's in heaven.
Now we must survive!
Him, we will remember
And live on,
Through love.


Sweet child, fear not.
Forever I will be close to you,
And always protect you,
So fear not,
Precious child!


Welcome the light

credits

from Will There be a Spring?, released May 28, 2020
Christopher Pettersen - Flute and piccolo
Mel D’Anci - Bass clarinet
Paul Thomas - Horn
David Hession - Trombone
Heather Franklin - Triangle
Dan Sonenberg - Cymbal, bass drum, celesta
Alma Kenow - Guitar
Josie Lawrence - Vocal
Katie Lind - Vocal
Sigrid Sibley - Vocal

Mixed and mastered by René Damen

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The USM Composers Ensemble Gorham, Maine

Founded in 2005 by Professor Dan Sonenberg, the University of Southern Maine Composers Ensemble celebrated its 15th season in 2020. The ensemble consists of student composer-performers, and performers interested in new music, and ranges in size from 13-30 members. Each semester they compose and perform a full evening of contemporary music in a range of musical styles for large chamber ensemble. ... more

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