Piano,Vocal,Voice - Level 4 - Digital Download SKU: A0.989230 Composed by Mary Ann Joyce. Concert,Contemporary. Score. 4 pages. Mary Ann Joyce-Walter #6207637. Published by Mary Ann Joyce-Walter (A0.989230). Housman’s poem is about the nature of life, here represented by the cherry tree. The poet feels he does not have enough time to appreciate this beautiful world, because, like all living things, he will die. The first stanza is a description of the cherry tree in its spring-time splendor. It is as 'wearing white for Eastertide as if it is celebrating a religious festival. In the second stanza, the mood shifts from the tree to the poet himself, as he thinks about the inevitability of death. He, a twenty-year old, estimates that he has about fifty years left to live. The final stanza expresses the poet's feeling that fifty more years does not give him enough time to enjoy the beauties of nature. He decides that he will look at the cherry tree not only when it is hung with bloom, but also in winter when it is hung with snow. The poet thus celebrates the beauties of nature in all seasons, but also poignantly laments the inevitable passage from youth to old age and death, the seasons of his own life.I composed this setting of Loveliest of Trees to celebrate the 86th birthday of Joyce Hope Suskind, beloved friend, brilliant musician and composer par excellence.
