Cantata-Roudelay
For soprano, tenor and cello
About the text: The song is set in a post-apocalyptic, burnt-out forest, in which two children – Hansel and Gretel in a dystopian future? – are trying to make sense of what has happened.
First performance 1pm, 23rd May 2019, Wigmore Hall
Music: Jonathan Woolgar / Text: Sophie Rashbrook
I
SISTER
While the earth remains, look up at the sky:
See all the starbright angels blazing rains
And marvel at the endless forms you spy,
While the earth remains.
Turn we three around, around, around,
Weave a roundel ‘round a tilted crown
Before we three fall down a-down a-down
II
BROTHER
Above I see a moon that winks and wanes.
I cannot read the stars, although I try.
This used to be our home – where life sustains –
Turn we two around, around, around,
Weave a roundel ‘round a tilted crown
Before we two fall down a-down a-down
III
SISTER
Brother, we may never understand why –
Our planet circles through endless refrains,
But still there’s peace, looking up at the sky,
BROTHER AND SISTER
While the earth remains.
I danced three turns around, around, around,
I wove a roundel ‘round a tilted crown
Before we all fell down a-down a-down