Memorial [Fear no more th' heat o' th' sun]

Instrumentation

Piano
1
Soprano
1

Additional Information

Memorial is from a group of songs in a collection entitled A Garden of Mourning which contains songs for different instruments and mainly for high voice.

It was subsequently performed as part of a tour commemorating Michael Tippett with performers from University of Southampton.

It was also performed in the 2021 Fringe Festival by Jessica Summers and pianist Jelena Makarova as part of their Living Songs project. Memorial is listed on the Living Songs website at http://www.livingsongs.co.uk/repertoire/

Memorial was premiered in a concert at the Unitarian Church, Brighton, by Debbie Bridge with the late Glen Capra accompanying. The work is dedicated to polymath, linguist, poet and friend, Stephen Kellett.

The text is from Cymbeline Act IV, scene iii.

Fear no more the heat o’ th’ sun,

Nor the furious winter’s rages;

Thou thy worldly task hast done,

Home art gone, and ta’en thy wages.

Golden lads and girls all must,

As chimney sweepers, come to dust.

 

Fear no more the frown o’ the great,

Thou art past the tyrant’s stroke;

Care no more to clothe and eat,

To thee the reed is as the oak.

The sceptre, learning, physic, must

All follow this, and come to dust.

 

Fear no more the lightning flash,

Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone;

Fear not slander, censure rash;

Thou hast finished joy and moan.

All lovers young, all lovers must

Consign to thee, and come to dust.

 

No exorcisor harm thee.

Nor no witchcraft charm thee.

Ghost unlaid forbear thee.

Nothing ill come near thee.

Quiet consummation have,

And renowned be thy grave.

 

Details

Fear no more th' heat o' th' sun
Year

United Kingdom

Minutes
5