Child, Child - SSAA Chorus

Last year, I came across Sara Teasdale's poetry and a lot of what she wrote about on love, beauty, fear, even death resonated with me. What really peaked my interest was her poetry book of love songs where she expresses her ideas and beliefs about what it means to be loved and to love.

"Child, Child" is a heartfelt ballad set in the key of D-major with many legato phrases. The opening theme is the driving point that follows the piece through the beginning, middle and end and changes meaning through each repetition. I use it to tell this story of romance sweeping us off our feet in ways that feel enchanting, and breaking us down when we least expect it. Yet, through it, we still find the courage to love and start anew time and time again. Love--be it heaven or hell--is to hold dear and to cherish. 

After a pretty rough time last year emotionally, Teasdale's poetry gave words to my feelings and inspired me to write. I hope this piece resonates with you as well. Please enjoy <3. Also Happy New Year!!!

Text:

Child, child, love while you can
The voice and the eyes and the soul of a man;
Never fear though it break your heart --
Out of the wound new joy will start;
Only love proudly and gladly and well,
Though love be heaven or love be hell.

Child, child, love while you may,
For life is short as a happy day;
Never fear the thing you feel --
Only by love is life made real;
Love, for the deadly sins are seven,
Only through love will you enter heaven.

Hi @seo_composer!

This is a really soothing and lovely piece, I love it! I like the sections after D section when you start to have more interaction between the voices and reaching the climax later, and I really like how you end on a E major chord for the Section F! The melodies throughout the piece is captivating.

What will be the voice for the solo? If it's soprano, the B3 can be a bit low for her to sing! Also for me in section A to C you can reach a higher register since lingering in lower register for a long time would tend to make the piece less exciting! Nonetheless the climax after it does turn the piece around.

Thx for sharing!

Henry