Choral Choir (SATB divisi) - Level 5 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1257185
Composed by Nicholas White. 21st Century,Classical,Traditional. Octavo. 16 pages. Nicholas White Music #850509. Published by Nicholas White Music (A0.1257185).
George Eliot's poem is given a rich and powerful setting for choir and organ.
O May I join the choir invisible Â
Of those immortal dead who live again Â
In minds made better by their presence: live Â
In pulses stirr'd to generosity, Â
In deeds of daring rectitude, in scornÂ
For miserable aims that end with self, Â
In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, Â
And with their mild persistence urge man's search Â
To vaster issues. Â
    So to live is heaven: Â
To make undying music in the world, Â
Breathing as beauteous order that controls Â
With growing sway the growing life of man. Â
So we inherit that sweet purity Â
For which we struggled, fail'd, and agoniz'dÂ
With widening retrospect that bred despair. Â
Rebellious flesh that would not be subdued, Â
A vicious parent shaming still its child, Â
Poor anxious penitence, is quick dissolv'd; Â
Its discords, quench'd by meeting harmonies, Â Â
Die in the large and charitable air. Â
And all our rarer, better, truer self, Â
That sobb'd religiously in yearning song, Â
That watch'd to ease the burthen of the world, Â
Laboriously tracing what must be, Â Â Â
And what may yet be better,—saw within Â
A worthier image for the sanctuary, Â
And shap'd it forth before the multitude, Â
Divinely human, raising worship so Â
To higher reverence more mix'd with love,—  Â
That better self shall live till human Time Â
Shall fold its eyelids, and the human sky Â
Be gather'd like a scroll within the tomb Unread forever. Â
    This is life to come, Â
Which martyr'd men have made more glorious    Â
For us who strive to follow. May I reach Â
That purest heaven, be to other souls Â
The cup of strength in some great agony, Â
Enkindle generous ardor, feed pure love, Â
Beget the smiles that have no cruelty,
Be the sweet presence of a good diffus'd, Â
And in diffusion ever more intense! Â
So shall I join the choir invisible Â
Whose music is the gladness of the world.