The Swallows is based on the poem by Gourgen Mahari, as translated from the Armenian by James Russell.
The Armenian poet Gourgen Mahari, who died in the USSR in 1969 is lamenting his many compatriots 
who were exiled, dispossessed and killed during the 20th century (poem shown below) 
 Versions are available on this site for: voice, clarinet, flute, violin, alto saxophone, cello or cor anglais and guitar 
and for voice, clarinet, flute, violin, alto saxophone, cello or cor anglais and piano 
The sound sample is an electronic preview. 
The pdf file contain score and parts. 
The original song can be heard on youtube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vucw5zpeGzQ ï»¿ 

 == The Swallows == 
Far in the distant Nile Valley down nameless highways unknown, 
where the Dead Sea`s gloomy ripples break, 
 straining on their way unfinished home, 
 with a song in their hearts, the swallows died, 
 unable to return. 
 Far in the distant Nile Valley down down nameless highways unknown. 
 They never came back to adorn the Spring with heady song, 
 to chant with the winds the green meadow, rebuild abandoned nests. 
 They died on distant mountains, plains afar, unable to return. 
Far away. 
 Can they subsist with the love of our hearts 
 or our gardens` blossoms gay or our joyous vernal rains? 
 They who died on the way unfinished home. 
 Far in the distant Nile Valley. 
 Unable to return.