THE EYES OF THE HEART
Sub-titled “A New Psalm 121,” poet Euan Tait has added his own verse to a beloved psalm. "The Eyes of the Heart" was commissioned by the Opus Chorale of West Virginia and Artistic Director David Donathan, in memory of Carol Eich who served as their accompanist and who was a college professor and church organist in Charleston, West Virginia.
Perform the work on All Saints Sunday, or in other memorial occasions. The text comes with alternatives depending on each occasion.
SCORES
SATB div. unaccompanied
Printed scores: Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Boosey & Hawkes, J. W. Pepper
Digital scores: Santa Barbara Music Publishing (Enter catalog number SBMP 1465)
THE TEXT
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:
he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
We cannot see her*. We hear her* only,
out of sight, as this whisper, this song,
a music lighting the river,
making the water crackle with her* voice,
and our beings inflorescent
with the scents of pine, fire pink
as our mountain breeze singing erupts
into rain-fire: my sister*, my friend!
The Lord shall preserve thy going out
and thy coming in
from this time forth,
and even for evermore.
* indicating the option to use the words him, her or them, and his, her or their, and sister, brother or pilgrim depending on each occasion.
SEE ALSO
