Pearly Everlasting | mezzo, baritone & lute or keyboard by Frank A. Wallace
by Frank A. Wallace
For baritone and soprano with 10-course lute or piano
SUGGESTED DONATION: $10
Poetry: by Nancy Knowles
Duration: 11 pages; 5:54
Instrumentation: baritone, soprano with TAB for 10-course lute or mensural notation for keyboard
Difficulty: modest range for any singer and can be played by intermediate lutenists
Language: English
World premiere: January 30, 2009; Long Beach Guitar Society by Duo LiveOak
Recording: Duo LiveOak, Woman of the Water; 2004 on Gyre
All Gyre compositions are ASCAP
Copyright ©2001 Frank A. Wallace
Cover photography and design by Nancy Knowles
All rights reserved.
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Originally written in tablature for ten-course lute, your download will also include a keyboard version. This elegy, with lyrics by Nancy Knowles, was written shortly after the tragic death of our former partner John Fleagle, beloved singer/instrumentalist of the Boston early music scene. It is a reflection on the play of light and dark, shine and shadow, and contains a favorite tune of John’s by Guillaume de Machaut: Comment q’ua moy.
I.
Once again the Body
turning ever
the Light
reflects
transluces
becomes
all while the Shadow’s Company
embracing,
the Ancients
joining.
Of Them Roots drink,
Leaves inspiring,
outspiralling
the warm Breath
of Forever.
II.
Here on Earth
choked by Reflection
we strive to make
Shadow
Shining through
wants Shade,
else it’s all
in vain.
Vanities:
lit candles in noonday Sun,
melting fast.