Choral ~ General ~ with Keyboard
“Sleep”
(An original setting of the poem by John Fletcher, 1607)
SOUND CLIP / WATCH VIDEO ON VIMEO / SCORE SAMPLE
SCORING: SATB (some divisi), acc. by piano
DURATION: ca. 4:00 — DIFFICULTY: 3/5 — PAGES IN PDF SCORE: 10
HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER — PDF: $50 (for all the copies you need)
DESCRIPTION
In this wonderful poem, the author is imploring Sleep to lock him in delight awhile, in order to be released from the burdens and pain of daily life.
This gently flowing piece is predominantly wistful, but ends serenely, as if the author has at last been granted his wish of pleasing dreams.
Throughout the piece, variety is ensured by the subtle use of voicings, key changes, tempo changes, and contrasts of mood.
TEXT INFO
Sleep
Words by John Fletcher, 1607
Complete text:
Come, Sleep, and with thy sweet deceiving
Lock me in delight awhile.
Let some pleasing dream beguile
All my fancies; that from thence
I may feel an influence
All my powers of care bereaving!
Though but a shadow, but a sliding,
Let me know some little joy!
We that suffer long annoy
Are contented with a thought
Through an idle fancy wrought:
O let my joys have some abiding!
Come, Sleep, and with thy sweet deceiving
Lock me in delight awhile.
