“Voices of Joy,” Spring 2011 - Conspirare

But never they whisper of journeys afar,
Away from the roll of the sea.
Oh, had they the tongues for to speak,
What tales of adventure they’d weave;
But now they are anchored to sleep,
And slumber alee.
Come fair winds to wake them tomorrow, we pray,
Come harvest a-plenty to them ev’ry day;
Till guided by harbour lights they’re home to stay,
Away from the roll of the sea.
Simple Gifts (Shaker Song)......................................................Arr. Aaron Copland
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free,
‘Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain: When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
‘Til by turning, turning we come round right.
Oliver Cromwell (Suffolk Nursery Rhyme)..........................Arr. Benjamin Britten
Oliver Cromwell lay buried and dead,
Hee-haw, buried and dead,
There grew an old apple-tree over his head,
Hee-haw, over his head.
The apples were ripe and ready to fall,
There came an old woman to gather them all,
Oliver rose and gave her a drop,
Which made the old woman go hippety hop,
The saddle and bridle, they lie on the shelf,
If you want any more your can sing it yourself,
Finale from Midsummer Night’s Dream.....................................Felix Mendelssohn
Thro’ this House give glim’ring light
By the dead and drowsy fire
ev’ry elf and fairy sprite
Hop as light as bird from brier!
And this ditty after me
Sing and dance it trippingly.
First, and rehearse then sing by rote:
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