In the Tavern of Sweet Songs

17 Songs from Salámán and Absál

David Lewiston Sharpe

Scoring

Soprano and Tenor voices; Piano

Duration: 55 mins approx.

Contents

1. Where am I and who? (Soprano) ... ... ... 1

2. Letters in the Sand (Tenor) ... ... ... 7

3. Shatter’d Houses, Hoard of Gold (Soprano) ... 12

4. Worship of the Fire (Tenor) ... ... ... 20

5. Childless Eyes (Soprano) ... ... ... ... 25

6. Sulayman & Balkis (Tenor) ... ... ... 36

7. Cypress Shadow (Soprano) ... ... ... ... 43

8. A Signal out of Darkness (Tenor) ... ... ... 49

9. On the Sea-shore sat a Raven (Soprano) ... ... 56

10. The Hand of Fate (Tenor) ... ... ... ... 61

11. Living Water (Soprano) ... ... ... ... 67

12. Eden (Tenor) ... ... ... ... ... 71

13. Night by Night (Soprano) ... ... ... ... 77

14. The Wound of Asra (Tenor)... ... ... ... 84

15. The Sculptor’s Passion (Soprano) ... ... ... 92

16. The Hour of Harvest (Tenor) ... ... ... 97

17. Morning (Soprano) ... ... ... ... 99

Preface

At one level, In the Tavern of Sweet Songs is simply a story asking to be told – simultaneously

through the sequence of poems that this song cycle sets to music, and the narrative poem within

which those poems appear. The tale of Salámán and Absál is a story told in a thousand lines; but

like way-stations along the journey, there is the sequence of shorter verses that apostrophize

particular events with a string of individual parables which build a concurrent, complementary

narrative strand. These are the texts of the present songs.

The ‘tavern’ (kharabat in Persian) represents in this instance a holy place, a Sufi monastery

or even the House of God, in which the experiential ‘wine’ of spiritual intoxication is imbibed.

The ‘sweet songs’ (the ghazal, or love song in Persian literature) represent the intoxicating

music that is a pathway to the divine, sung by the qalandar, a Sufi mystic, who travels – perhaps

from ‘tavern’ to ‘tavern’ – peripatetically singing his ecstatic songs of spiritual love.

As with many cycles, the present songs are to some extent discrete entities, although a thread

of recurring melodies, motifs and thematic ideas binds these ‘beads of song’ together. In the

narrative, there is an overriding element of parable, and at the very least a significant degree of

symbolism, that this sequence aims to intimate.

Edward Fitzgerald is known for his translation, really a ‘recomposition’, of Omar Khayyam’s

Rubai’yat (‘quatrains’), which he issued anonymously in April 1859. His translation of Abd-ar-

Rahman Jāmi’s mystic poem Salámán and Absál, however, was the first extended work he

undertook in his studies of Persian; it appeared in 1856 in the first instance, later being issued

in a revised form in 1879 with the fourth edition, of five, of his Rubai’yat. It is one of a number of

poems by Jāmi (1414−1492CE) that adopt common figures from a shared heritage of characters

and stories in Islamic and Persian traditions. Another long poem of his tells the story of Yusuf

and Zuleikha, alluded to in the texts of songs 8 and 13 in the present work. The tale of Salámán

and Absál appears first to have been told, however, by Ibn Sina (known in Europe as Avicenna),

a philosopher and poet of the 11th−12th centuries CE.

The whole of Jāmi’s narrative is intended to be allegorical of a more spiritual Divine Love,

contrasted with the materialism of a ‘life of the senses’. The story centres on a king of Ionia (in

western Anatolia, present-day Turkey), described in the poem as the Shah of Yūn (or Yūnan),

who had a son called Salámán. Sáláman is, the poem tells us, nursed by a girl named Absál, who

falls desperately in love with him when he grows up, in time ensnaring him. Salámán and Absál

rejoice together in their life of sense, for a year, thinking their pleasures immortal. A wise man,

or sage, is then commissioned by the king with the task of reasoning with the erring couple.

Salámán confesses to the sage that he speaks wisely, but pleads the weakness of his own will.

Salámán leaves his homeland with Absál, and they find themselves eventually on an island

that comprises a beautiful garden (compared to the Irem Garden of Islamic tradition), a paradise

garden perhaps, the etymology of ‘paradise’ being simply the Persian word for ‘garden’.

Salámán, fulfilled on one level in his love for Absál but suffused with the guilt at the injury he

has caused his father, returns once more to his native country. He and Absál resolve to bring an

end to their lives and their suffering. They travel to a desert and build a pyre; both walk into the

fire that they kindle. Absál – who symbolises consuming, blinkered, earthly desire – is

consumed, while Salámán is preserved against the voracious flames, but laments the fate of his

beloved.

Ultimately he is introduced by the sage, who represents the guiding light of a higher love and

elevated awareness within the individual psyche, to a celestial beauty called Zuhrah (the

morning and evening star, Venus). Zuhrah symbolises the divine energy that builds a pathway

to perfection clothed with intellectual light. Salámán becomes totally enamoured as his desire

for Absál is, eventually, sublimated in the broader context of a compassionate love. He has

undergone a rite of passage involving separation (while he still possesses Absál and thereby his

earthly love), limination (the isolation on the island where his carnal love plays out its

dénouement) and re-incorporation, via the ‘cleansing’ fire of ascetic discipline: in assuming his

station as heir to the Shah he re-incorporates himself into a lineage and ‘tradition’ of existence

that his ‘royal road’ symbolically represents. Love is both goal and agency of the rite, which is

transformed within the self by the ‘sage’ of his own love’s spiritual metamorphosis.

These songs intend to distil the memory and emotion of those moments in the story where their

texts appear, and attempt to catch the light as the sounds pass by, offering the opportunity of

further, deeper moments of thought, feeling, repose and comprehension. There are musical

themes and ideas that are associated with elements of the storytelling, as we move from one

song to the next, which are not immediately to be seen as linked when the texts are read on

their own. However, the music offers up associations not obvious but subliminal, which rest

otherwise undetected as an important sub-stratum of the story.

Considered as one arching span, the music of these 17 songs is a single symphonic thread

which attempts to bring us back to our starting point and – in the words of T.S. Eliot – ‘know the

place for the first time’.

DAVID LEWISTON SHARPE, April 2008

Edward FitzGerald (1809-83)(after Abd ar-Rahman Jami, 15th Century CE)

q = 52Andantino, poco mesto

David LEWISTON SHARPE

In the Tavern of Sweet Songs

1. Where am I, and Who?

17 poems from the Salámán and Absál of Jámi

SOPRANO & TENOR

5

Copyright © 2007 by David Lewiston Sharpe

9accel. - - - - più mosso

p

dolce e legatiss.

poco più f

(con ped.)

SOPRANOA

mp

Man per plexed- by For tune’s- Fro lics- Left

poco cresc.

his De sert- for the

poco

Ci ty.- Sees a Ci ty- full of Noise and Cla mour- a

poco stacc.

gi- ta- ted-

13

rit. - - -

- - - - A tempo17

21

Peo

legato

ple,- Hi ther,- Thi ther,- Back

cresc.

and For ward,- Run ning,- run ning,

3

-

mf

run

dim.

ning,-

più delicato

Some

mp

in tent- on Tra vel,- O

poco cresc.

thers- home a gain- re turn- ing,-

p

Right

poco mf

to Left, and Left to Right, Life dis quiet-

poco mf

2

25

29

Quasi recit.33

e very

3

- where!- He,

più f ma dolce

when he be holds- the Tur moil-

più f

Creeps a side- and Tra vel- wea- ry- Fainwould go to sleep;

‘But,’ saith he,

,

‘Howshall I

poco cresc.

in all this Hub bub- Knowmy self- in wa king?’-

sostenuto semprep poco

3

A tempo37

41

45

Subito più lento

So

poco mf

by way of Re cog- -

mp

-ni tion- Ties

mp

a rib

cresc.

bon

3

- round his Foot and turns to

mf

poco cresc.

mp

sleep.

p

A

pp

Knave

bisbigliando

thatheardhimcrept be hind-

p pp

4

49

53 accel. - - - - - -

A tempo57

3

And sly ly- watch ing- slips the rib bon- off

cresc.

the Sleep er’s- An

mp

kle,-

ties

pp

it round his own And

legato

so down to sleep be side- him.

pp

(normale)

By

ten.

and by the Man a wa- king-

p dolciss.

5

61

65rit. - - - -

- - - Meno mosso69

più rit. - - poco lento

Looks di rect- ly- for his Sig nal- Sees

mf

it on a no

poco cresc.

- ther’s- An kle,-

,

Cries

poco più f

a loud-

poco cresc.

colla parte

‘Oh Good for- no- thing- Ras cal- toper plex- me so,That by you I am be wil- dered-

mf

poco cresc.

non troppo marc.

If I the- rib bon- whyon You If- you then- WhereamI,and Who?’

molto

per - - - den - - - - - do - si

Loughton, 24 March 2007

6

Poco allegretto

q = 76

2. Letters in the Sand

4poco rubato

7

A tempo

TENOR One

poco mf

who tra vel’d- in the De sert- Saw Maj -

p delicato simile

nún- where he was sit ting- All a lone- like a Ma -

mp

gi cian- Tra

mp lontano

cing- let ters- in the Sand.

dim.

cresc.

7

10

13

16

‘Oh,

pp oh,

p

dis tract- ed

3

- Lo ver!-

p

wri ting- what the Sword wind- of the De

poco

sert- Un de- cy- phers- soon as

pocoespress.

writ ten- So

mp

that none who

3

tra vels- af ter-

mp simile

8

19

22

25

Shall be a ble- to in ter- pret!’- Maj nún- an swered,-

cresc. dim.

’I

poco mf

am wri ting- “LAI LI”,- “LAI

p

poco rubato

-

mp pp

3

LI”,

- -

“LAI

p leggiero e lontano

3 3 3LI”,- -

3“LAI

3 3

3-

sostenuto

3

9

31

34

3

3

LI”,-

3

“LAI

poco cresc.

3

3LI,”- - - - -3

pp

sostenuto

were it on ly- “LAI LI,”- Yet

mf

a book of Love

f

and

p espress.

Pas sion;- And, with but her Name to dote on, A

mp

mor- ous- ly- I ca ress- it

mf

più dim.

p

10

37

40

As it were Her self- and

mp

sip Her Pre sence- till

p

I drink her Lip.’

p

poco più dim.

Loughton, 25-26 March 2007

11

Andantino, ma animato

q = 76

3. Shatter’d Houses – Hoard of Gold

4

6

mf

poco più f

meno f

(con Ped.)

dim. delicato

(sostenuto)

p

(SOPRANO) Breath

mp

less- ran a sim ple- rus tic-

pp

(sost.)

12

8

9

11

To

sub. mp

a cun ning- Man of Dreams

,

colla parte

‘Lo, this morn ing- I was dream ing-

poco

And,

p

me thought,- in yon de ser- ted- vil lage-

pp leggiero

(sost.)

13

13

15

17

wand

p

er’d- All a bout- me sha tter’d-

Hou ses- And be hold!- In to- one me -

thought I

cresc.

went and searched and found a Hoard of Gold,

poco mf

mp

14

19

21

Poco più lento23

25

dim.

I

pp sotto voce

went and searched and

pp

found a Hoard of Gold.

ppp

Quoth

mf

the Pro phet- in de -

pesante

mf

meno f

ri- sion- ‘Oh thou Jewel

cresc.

3of Cre a- tion,- Go and

legato

15

28

31

34accel. - - - - - - - - - - - -

sole your feet like hor ses’- And re turn- ing- to your Vil lage- Stamp and

mp poco legato

p sostenuto

Scratch with Hoof and Nail, And give the Earth so sound a

Sha king- She must hand you some thing-

poco mf

up

poco mf

16

Tempo primo36

38

40

cresc. dim.

Went

mp

at once the un

sub. mp

sus- pect- ing- Coun try- man-

,

p

With hear ty- Pur pose- set to work as

p

he was

p

17

42

44

46

told; And

più f

the ve ry- first en coun- ter- Struck

poco meno f

up -

on

cresc.

- his Hoard of Gold,

più f e poco sostenuto

Struck

pp dolce

up on- his Hoard of

pp

18

48

rit. - - - - - - - -50

poco meno mosso

52poco più rit.

Gold, Gold,

mp cresc.

p leggiero

Gold.

p

p molto espress.

dim.

pp

Loughton, 26-29 March 2007

19

Lentorello

q = 72

4. Worship of the Fire

4

7

TENOR

God,

mp poco a poco cresc,

God, God said

p

to

(cresc.)

the Pro phet- Da

poco mf

vid,-

p

‘Da

mp

vid,- speak, and to the Chal lenge-

20

10

13

16

An swer- of the Faith

ten.

with in- Thee, the Faith with -

in- Thee, An

meno f

swer- of the Faith with

mp

-

in- Thee.

E

poco mf

ven-

dolce pp

mp

dolce

21

19

22

25

un be- liev- ing- Prin cess,- Ill re- por- ted- if un wor- thy,-

Yet,

poco mf

yet, If

cresc.

They be

poco più f

cresc.

Just and Right eous-

dim.

Were

mf pesante

their Wor ship- of THE FIRE,

dim.

22

28

rit. - - - - - - - - -

Meno mosso

31

accel. - - - - - - - - - -

their

cresc. e più leggiero

Wor ship,- their Wor ship- of THE FIRE.

f

espress.

cresc.

più dim.

E

poco mf

ven- These un to- Them -

molto espress.

ten.

f

mp

23

A tempo

33

37

selves- Reap

poco mf

Glo ry- and

meno f

re dress- the

più dim.

moltomp

World.

ten. dim.

dim.

Loughton, 27 March / 7 April 2007

24

Con rubato

5. Childless Eyes

4

Moderato

q = 82

7

SOPRANO

Cra

f

zy- for the Curse of Chil dren- Ran

mf

be

cresc.

fore- the

poco mf più f

Sheikh a Fel low,- Cry

f

ing- out,

‘Oh

mf espress.

hear and

mplegato e espress.

help

ten.

me! Pray to God

poco più f

3

25

10

13

16rit. - - - - più lento

from my Clay To raise me up a fresh

cresc.

young Cy press-

cresc.

who

meno f

my Child less- Eyes may light en-

With

cresc.

the Beau ty- of his Pre sence.-

Said

mp

the Sheikh,

mp

26

Tempo primo

19

22

25

‘Be

mf

wise, and leave it Whol ly- -

mp

in

poco cresc.

the Hand of God

ten.

3Who,

meno f

what ev- er-

meno f

we are af ter- Un der- stands- our busi ness- best.’

cresc.

dim.

27

28più lento

31 A tempo

34

But the Man per sis- ted,- say ing,- ‘Sheikh,

mf molto espress.

I

espress. e sost.

lan

ten.

guish- in my long ing;- Help, and

set my Prayer a go ing- Then

mp

the Sheikh held

poco p sostenuto

28

37

40

43

Up his hand, Pray’d,

p

his ar row- flew

cresc.

to

p

Hea ven.- From

mf

the hun ting-

molto espress.

poco mf

ground of dark ness- Down

mf

a mus ky- Fawn of Chi na-

29

46

49

52

Brought a Boy, who,

poco p

when the Ten der- Shoot of Pas sion-

espress. e poco cresc. più p

in him plan ted- Found suf fi- cient- soil and sap

mp

Takes,

cresc.

takes to drink ing- with his Fel

più dim.

lows.-

30

55

58

61

From

mf

a cor ner- of the

poco f e espress.

3

dim.

mf e poco sost.

House top- Ill af- fronts- a Neigh bours- Wife, Draws his

mp

Dag ger- at the Hus band- Who com -

poco

31

63

67

70

plains

più f

be fore- the Jus

dim.

tice- And

cresc.

the Fa ther- has to pay.

cresc.

Day

mf

and Night the Young ster’s- Do ings-

,

Such

ten.

3

poco mf

colla voce

the

marcato

Talk of all the Ci

poco f

ty.-

meno f

32

73

76

79

Desper

più f

ate- Fa ther- to the Sheikh

marc.

cries,

mf

‘Sheikh,

legato e espress.

my

meno f colla voce

on ly- Hope and Hel per- One more Prayer!

ten.

that

sostenuto sempre

God

meno f e cresc. poco a poco

who laid Will Take that

poco p poco cresc.

33

82

85

molto rit. - - accel. - - - - - - - - -

A tempo88

trou

(cresc.)

ble- - from

mf

my Head.’

But

mp

the Sheikh

dim.

p

re plied,- ‘Re mem

poco cresc.

- ber- un to- God there’s no o ther- Prayer

ten.

un less- to pray

f

for Par don-

mp

Slaves

mf espress.

we are, and un

ten.

en- - -

mp legato e espress.

34

91

94

97

100

cum ber’d- best may do the Mas

poco più f

ter’s3- mind, And what ev- er-

cresc.

he may or der,- what ev- er,- what ev- er-

he may or der,- Do

cresc.

it with a Will, a

cresc.

Will

mf

re signed.’-

dim.molto

mf pp

35

Poco allegretto

q = 62

6. Sulayman and Balkis

4

8

p

espressivoten.

poco più p

ten. ten.

legato

(TENOR) Once

mp espress.

up on- a

più leggiero pp

Throne of Judge ment- Tel

poco cresc.

ling- one an -

poco più cresc.

ten.

poco p e dolce

36

12

poco rit. - - - - 16

A tempo

20

oth er- Se

ten.

crets-

meno f

Sat SU LAY- MAN- and BAL KIS-

espress.

meno f

ten.

The Hearts of Both were turn’d

poco cresc.

to Truth

poco più f

ten.

un

p

sul- lied,-

poco mp

un sul- lied,- un

più f

-

p

espress.

37

24

poco meno mosso

28 rit. - - - - - -

Meno mosso

q. = 5432

sul- lied- by De cep- tion.

più f

-

più dim.

First

mp espress.

the King of Faith SU LAY- MAN- spoke,

pp poco cresc.

‘Though

mf espress.

mine the Ring of Em

poco f

pire-

p poco f

espr.

38

36

40

44

Ne

poco mp

ver- a ny- Day that pas ses- Dark

p scuro

ens- a ny-

p

one my

più f

Door way-

poco mf più leggiero

But in to- His Hand

mp legatiss.

I look and He

marcato

who comes not emp ty- hand ed-

più leggiero

39

48 poco accel. - - - - -

Tempo primo

q = 6252

56rit. - - - - -

q. = 48meno mosso

Grows

poco mf e legato

to Hon our- in my Eyes.

poco f

poco f

più dim.

4

Af

mp

ter- this BAL KIS- a Se cret- From her

p dolce sostenuto

poco

hid den- bo som- utt er’d- Say ing,- ‘Ne ver- Night

espress.

3

p dolce

40

60

64

66

or Morn ing- Come ly- Youth be fore- me pas ses- When I

cresc.

look

molto espress.

long

ten.

ing- af ter- Say ing- to my -

ten.

ten.

self, ‘Oh

mf espress.

were He Com fort- ing-

mp poco delicato

41

68

of my sick soul.’

cresc. poco mf

42

Moderato

q = 68

7. Cypress Shadow

4

7

SOPRANO

p dolce e mesto molto espress.

Sat

p dolce

a

ten.

dim.

p

Lo ver- so li- ta- ry- Self dis- cour- sing- in a cor ner-

espress.

43

10

13

16

Pa

poco f

ssion- ate- and e ver- chan- ging- In

ten.

vo- ca- tion- pour ing- out.

poco f

Some

mf cresc.

times- Sun

poco f

mf

ten.

poco mp

Some

meno f

times- Moon And some times- un der-

44

19

22

poco più lento

25

Hy a- cinth- Half hid den- Ro ses- or the lof

poco cresc.

ty- Cy press- and

pp

the

lit tle- Weed be low.

poco più dim.

-

Night

pp ad lib.

3in- - - -

pp p

(colla voce)

p

ga- ling,-

più f ma leggiero

night

3

in- - - -

-

45

28 accel. - - - - -

Tempo primo31

Quasi recit.

34

ga ling,- night

legg.mp

in- - - - ga- ling- thus

a no- ther- Heard him and

poco cresc.

com plete- ly- pu zzled,

dim.

-

mp

mf

‘What,’

più dramatico

quoth he, ‘and you a lo ver- Ra ving- not,

p sostenutopoco

p

46

37

40

43

not a bout- your Mis tress-

,

But a bout- the Moon and Ro ses.- An

più lirico

swered- he,

mp

‘Oh

poco mf

thou

espress.

that aim est- Wide of Love and lo vers’- lan guage-

mp legatiss. espress.

Sun and Moon are but

dim.

my La dy’s- Self

poco mp

as

47

46

49

52rall. - - - - - - - -più lento

a ny- Lo ver- knows Hy

mf

a- cinth- her hair, her cheek

ten.

The

poco mf

Rose, my self- the wretch

f

ed- Weed That

poco mf

in her

legatiss.

Cy press- Sha dow- grows.

48

Lentorello. Brillante e leggiero

q = 72

8. A Signal out of Darkness

4

7

TENOR Bur

mf molto espress.

ning- with de -

mf

poco p

f p

sire- ZU LAI- KHA- built a cham

ten.

ber- Wall and

mf p

Ceil ling- blank as an

legatiss.

un tar- nish’d- Mir ror-

49

10

13

16

Spot less- as the Heart

cresc.

of YU SUF,-

dim.

spot

meno f

less- as the Heart of

YU SUF.- Spot

p dolce

less- Heart.

Then

mf espress.

she made a cun ning- Pain ter-

più f

Mul ti- ply- her Im age-

mp

50

19 poco rit. - - - -

poco meno mosso22

25accel. - - - - - A tempo

round it; Not an inch of Wall but ech oed,-

ech oed- with the

cresc.

Re flex- of her Beau

f

ty.

espress.

-

p

più sost.

espr.

cresc.

espress.

Then

mp

sat she

f

ten.

p

poco

mp sostenuto

51

28

31

34

down and sent for YU SUF.- She

poco mf

be gan- a

poco p

leggiero

poco

Tale, be gan- a Tale, a

dim.

Tale of Love

and lif ted- up her Veil. From

poco cresc.

her look he turn’d but

52

37

40

43

tur ning,- where

più f

so- e- ver- e ver- saw her Look

dim.

ing,- look ing-

poco più p

at him still.

espress.

meno f

Then

mf espress.

de sire- a rose- with

cresc.

in- him, he

dim.

was

mp leggiero

53

46

49

52

al most- yield ing,- al

mf espress.

most- lay ing- Hon ey- on her

Lip,

poco p

When a Sig nal-

dim. p

out of Dark ness- Spoke

marcato

to him,

poco dim.

54

55

58

and

legato

he with drew- His Hand and

poco mf

dropt the Skirt of

cresc. poco mf

molto

For

poco f

tune.-

più dim.

p subito

ppp

55

Andantino

q = 64

9. On the Sea-shore sat a Raven

5

9

SOPRANOOn

p espress. e legatiss.

the Sea shore- sat a Ra ven,- Blind,

,

pp

dolciss.poco

and

poco più f

from the bit ter- cis tern- forc’d his

poco cresc.

on ly- Drink to

draw. Sud

poco mf

den- ly- the Pel i- can-

cresc.

56

13

17

rit. - - - - -

21

A tempo

Fly

poco mf

ing- o ver,- Fly

,

ing- o ver,-

For

mf espress.

tune’s- Sha dow,- Cast u pon- his

Head,

dim.

and

p legatiss.

call ing,- and call ing-

p espress.

57

25rall. - - - - - -

q. = 52meno mosso

29

33

mf espr.

3 3 3 p

‘Come,

più f

poor Son of

cresc.

Salt,

meno f

and taste of

cresc.

mp

Sweet, sweet Wa ter-

più dim.

from

mp

my Maw

p

58

37molto rit. - - - - A tempo

q = 64

41

45

p

Sweet Wa ter.-

Said

p

the

espress. molto

p

Ra ven,- ‘If

espress. molto

I taste it Once, the

più f

Salt

mp

I have to live on may for

poco cresc.

e ver- turn to loath

ten.

ing-

p

59

49

53

And

poco mf

I

espress.

sit a Bird ac curst- Up

cresc.

on- the

mp sostenuto e mesto

Shore

(cresc.)

to die

poco f

of Thirst.

poco

60

Andantino

q = 52

10. The Hand of Fate

5

9

pp

dolce ma penseroso

p

(TENOR)

To

mp espress.

the Ci

poco mf

ty-

mp

poco mf

61

13

17

21

dim.

came

meno f

a hun gry- Man af

poco più f

ter-

meno f

ma ny- days of wait ing- In to- the Kha li

poco mf

- fa’s- Ban quet

poco

-

push’d

più dim.

and

poco mf

got be fore- the Sup per-

poco mf

62

25

29

33

Lus

poco cresc.

cious- as the Lip of Beau ty- Or

poco mf

the Tongue

poco cresc.

poco mp

of El

dim.

o- quence.-

Soon

mp

as

p

cresc.

seen In de

cresc.

- cent- Hun ger- Sei

mf legato

zes- up and

mf legato

63

37

41

45

swal

meno f

lows- down

meno f poco p legatiss.

Then

mp

his mouth un daun

poco

- ted-

wi ping,- ‘Oh

poco f e espress.

Kha li- fa,- hear me say

moltopoco f e espress.

64

49

53

57

Not

poco f

at a ny- oth er- Ban quet- Than

cresc.

of thine to sup or

dine.’

più dim.

The

mp

Kha -

mp

li-

fa- laughed and an swered,-

,

‘Fool!

f con forza meno legato, poco con brio

who think est,-

f

ten.

meno f

65

61

65

68

who think est- to de ter- mine- What is in the Hands of

Fate. Take and thrust him from

f

the

cresc.

Gate.’

meno f ma marcato

66

Poco allegretto. Doloroso

q = 72

11. Living Water

4

7

SOPRANO

p delicato

pp

When

mf legato

be fore- Shir u- eh’s- Feet Drencht

mf marcato

in

poco più f

Blood fell

legato

Kai Khus rau-

67

10

13

16

He de clared- this Pa ra- ble,-

poco f

‘Wretch! there

poco f

was a Branch, there

poco cresc.

was a Branch that wax ing- Wan ton,

dim.

- wax

meno f

ing-

Wan ton- o’er the Root

cresc.

he drank

poco mf

from At a

cresc.

poco mf

68

19

22

rall. - - - - -

meno mosso

q = 5625

Draught the Li ving- Wa ter,- Li

meno f

ving-

Wa

ten.

ter- Drain’d where with- Him self- to crown.

p

69

28 accel. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

q = 72A tempo

31

35

Died

mp

the Root And

poco più cresc.

with it died the

dim.

Branch and

p

mp

mp p

bar ren- and

pp

bar ren- was

dim.

brought down.

a niente

pp

più dim.

70

Poco allegretto

12. Eden

4

7

TENOR

Quoth

p

a Muez zin- un

cresc.

to- Crest ed- Chant i- cleer,-

dim.

p legato

(poco sostenuto)

‘Oh,

più f

Voice of Morn ing,- Voice of Morn ing,-

dim.

Not a Sage of

all the Sa ges- Pro phe

- sies

- of Dawn or

star tles- at theWing of

meno f

71

10

13

16

Time like Thee.

mp

One

mf

so

espress. e legatiss.

Wise me thinks- were fit ter- per

cresc.

ching- on the

mf espress.

Beams of Hea

ten.

ven,- fit

mp

ter- Than with these poor

legato

mp

72

19

22

25

Hens a bout- him ra king- in a heap of Dung.

dim.

One

mf espress.

so wise were

più leggiero

fit ter- perch

poco cresc.

ing- on the Beams of Hea ven,- the Beams of

mp legatiss.

Hea

poco f

ven.’-

p

‘And,’

mp

the Cock erel-

poco mf

dim. pp

73

28

31

34

said, ‘in Hea ven- once I was, in Hea ven- once I was, in

cresc.

dim.

Hea ven.- But

poco mf

by my e vil- Lust am fall en- down

poco mf

poco

to ra king- With my

poco cresc.

wretch ed- Hens a bout- me on the Dung hill-

dim.

scuro

74

37

poco rit. - - - A tempo

40

43

O

poco mf

ther- wise- I were e ven- now, e ven- nowin E den,- E

espress.

den-

With

mp

the

dolce e dolore

Bird of Pa ra- dise,- the

poco p

Bird of Pa ra- dise,- the

p

dim. poco p

cresc.

3 3

Bird

leggiero e lontano

of Pa ra- dise,- the

più p

Bird of Pa ra- dise,- in

pp sostenuto

75

46

50

E den,- I

pp cresc.

were e ven- nowin Pa ra

poco

- dise,-

pp poco cresc.

Pa

mp

ra- dise.- In

dim.

E den.’-

pp

p ma poco marc.

mp

76

Poco allegretto

q. = 52

13. Night by Night

4

7

SOPRANO When

mp dolce

the Moon of

mf espress.

poco p

leggiero

Ca naan- YU SUF

(scuro)

- Dark en’d-

dim.

in

poco più f

the Pri son- of E gypt-

poco

p

Night

mp

by Night ZU LAI- KHA- went to

mp

77

10

13

16

see

dim.

Him For

poco più f

her Heart was Bro ken.-

Night

più f

by Night ZU LAI- KHA- went

cresc.

to see Him

dim.

più f

For

poco mf

her

cresc.

Heart was bro ken,- bro

pp

ken.-

mp

pp

78

19

22

25

legato

poco

meno f

Then

mf

said to her One

meno f legatiss.

who ne ver- yet had

ta sted- of Love’s Gar den,- Ne

poco p

ver- ta sted-

p

79

28

31

34

of Love’s Gar den- ‘Leav

più f

est- thou thy Pa lace-

più f

Cham ber- for the Fel

meno f

on’s- Cell

An swered- she, ‘With out my Lo ver-

80

37

40

43

were my Cham ber

poco

- Heaven’s

cresc.

Hor i

più f

- zon,- Heaven’s

dim.

Hor -

leggiero

i

cresc.

- zon,- Heaven’s Hor i- zon,

poco f

- Were

più f

my Cham ber-

poco a poco cresc.

Heaven’s Hor i- zon,- It were clo

poco

ser- than an Ant’s Eye

più f

81

46rall. - - - - - - -

meno mosso

49

accel. - - - - - - - A tempo

52 rall. - - - - - - - - -

And

più f

the Ant’s Eye

cresc.

Wi der- were

than Heaven, wi

poco mp

der- were than

mp leggiero

Hea ven,- - wi der- were than Hea ven,-

82

meno mosso

55

poco più lento58

61

poco mf

my Lo ver- with

mp

me there.’

dim.

più espress.

dim. mp

poco

poco

p

ppp

83

Allegro moderato

14. The Wound of Azra

con rubato

4q = 64A tempo

7

TENOR

Whis

p sotto voce

pered- one to WA MIK,- ‘Oh

, più f

pp

,

p

Thou

poco cresc.

Vic tim- of the Wound of AZ RA- What

mf

mp

is it that like a sha dow- Mov est- thou a -

p

84

10

13

16

bout in Si lence,- in Si

pocopp

lence,

dim.

- Si

meno f

lence,-

ppp

legatiss. e leggiero

poco

p

pp

Me

p poco sost.

di- ta- ting- Night and Day? Me

più f

-

p

sostenuto

di- ta- ting- Night and Day?’

WA MIK- an swered,-

85

19

22

25

‘E

poco mp e sost.

ven- this to fly with AZ RA-

p

legato e sost.

to

poco cresc.

the De sert- There

ten.

by

mp

so re mote- a

meno f

Foun tain- That which e’er way

poco più cresc.

one tra

poco f

vell’d- League

86

28

31

34

on League, League

meno f

on League, One

poco cresc.

yet should ne -

ver,-

più f

Ne ver- meet

dim.

the Face of Man

There

mp sostenuto

to pitch my Tent

p sostenuto

87

37

40

43

for

più f

e

espress.

ver- there to gaze on my Be lov- ed:- Gaze

p

till ga zing- out of Ga zing- Grew to BE ING,-

BE ING- her I gaze on,

88

46

49

52

She and I no more but in one un di- -

vi- ded- be ing- blen ded,- One

poco sost.

un di- vi- ded- be ing-

cresc.

blen ded.-

p

89

55

58

61

All

poco mf

that is not ONE must e ver- Suf

mf

fer- from the

p sfz

meno f legato

Wound of Ab sence;- the

sostenuto.

Wound of Ab sence,-

the Wound of Ab sence,- For

p

but in

p leggiero

90

64

66

ONE NESS- U ni- on.’

3

-

poco a poco cresc.

mf dim.

91

Con rubato. Brillante

q = 54Adagietto

15. The Sculptor’s Passion

5

8

SOPRANO

FIR

f legato e espress.

HAD,- Moul der- of the

mf

p leggiero3

3 3

3

f

Moun tain- Love

meno f sost.

dis trac- ted- look’d to

meno f

SHIR IN- And SHIR IN- the

mf

Sculp tor’s- Pas sion- saw

mf

92

11

14

17

and turn’d her Heart

fp

to Him.

dim.

Then

mf

poco p

Fire of Jea lous- Fren

marc.

zy- Caught

meno f,

and

mp

car ried- up the

,

Har vest- and car ried- up the Har vest- Of the

93

20

23

26

29

Might

marcato

of KAI KHUS RAU.-

mp

ten.

Plot

p

ting- with that An cient- Hag of Fate

p

dolce ma penseroso

The

pp

Sculp tor’s- Cup he poi son’d- and re main’d- the

pp più espress.

Lord of Love. ________

mp

94

31

32

35

3

3 3 3

3

3

So

f sost. e espr.

but Fate that Fate a ven- ges

dim.

-

3

f legato

3

Arms

cresc.

SHIR U- EH- with the dag ger- And

mf

at

meno f

95

38

41

44

once from SHIR IN- tore

sfz

him Hurl’d him

mf

from

mp

the Throne

cresc.

of Glor y,- Glor

più cresc.

y.

poco f

-

mp

cresc.

pocopiù f mp

sfz3

96

Andantino

16. The Hour of Harvest

5

9

TENOR 1.A

poco mp

Di scidis

- plere

--

askedgar- ded

a-

MasDar nel

ter-- with

by

cresc.

itswhat

p p legatiss.

selfTo

poco mf

ken-

a

mp,

shoulddorns-

athe

FaWheat

therfield

-- And

vouch

cresc.

forfor all

histhere pu

Ear- ted

ly-- Sea

son?’

son-

,

mp

più dim.

Sat

Said

mp

is

the

- fies

Mas

-

ter- ‘By

the

,

Far mer’s

the

- Eye,

Strip ling-

But

How

cresc.

come

so- e

once

-

the

ver- Late

Hour

or

of

Ear

Har vest

ly-

-

mp colla voce p

97

13

17 1.

1.

2.

2.

21

e = e

rall. - - - -

And

Like

p

to

a

the re pu

no-

- ted

ther

-

- Grain

Fa

shall

ther-

an swer,

Grow

-

ing,-

an

grow

swer

ing

-

- whe

Dar

dim.

ther

nel

-

-

and

Wise

p

no

or Fool

Wheat

ish.

am

-__

2.Lo

poco mp

the__ I.’

p

più f poco

ten.

poco cresc.

Attacca subito

98

Andantino. Poco mesto

q = 52

17. Morning

5

9

SOPRANO

p

dolce e legatiss.

poco più f

Slum

mf espress.

ber- drunk an Man in the De sert- Off

mf

his Ca mel- Tum bled-

mp

Slum

mp

ber- drunk, slum ber- drunk an Man in the De sert-

p

99

13

17

21

off his Ca mel- tum bled- Who

poco mf

the ligh ter- of her bur den- ran,

poco più f

ran, ran u pon- her Road re

3

joi- cing.-

mp

poco cresc. più dim.

100

25

29

poco rit. - - - A tempo ma con rubato

q = 48

33

When

mp dolce

the Man woke at Mor ning-

poco più f con rubato

Rubbed his Eyes and look’d a-

p espress. e dolce poco

bout- him,

‘Oh,

p

p

pp sostenuto sempre

oh, oh,

pp

my Ca mel,-

ppp

101

37

41

45

oh, my Ca mel,’- quoth he, ‘Ca

più f

mel- of my Soul,

più f

Ca mel- of my Soul.

espress. molto

Oh,

p lontano3 3 3 3

oh,

poco

3

p poco

102

49

53

57

oh,

mp

3 3 3oh,

meno f

3oh,

p

3 3 3

mp

p

oh, oh,

3 3 3oh, my Ca mel-

oh, my Ca mel,’- quoth

meno f

he, ‘Oh,

più f e espress.

Ca mel-

103

61

64

67

rall. - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

of my Soul,

dim.

Ca

cresc.

mel- of my

Soul

mp

that

mf

104

meno mosso70

poco più rit. - - - - - -

73

più lento

lost with her I lost might be, Or

f

found,

meno f

she

mf

meno f

might be found with Me!’

f

cresc.

a niente

10 June 2007

Loughton, Essex

105