2015 | for SATB vocal quartet | 5’
This piece, written in collaboration with choreographer Sydney Harmon, is born of a mutual fascination with lullabies— the motions and melodies used across generations to soothe a child in distress, and the way their texts often express complex doubts in simple ways as if the singer were soothing herself as well as the child. The melody and structure are designed to mimic those common in lullabies across nearly every culture, and the text is derived from various nursery rhymes.
Monday’s child is fair of face.
When the wind blows, the cradle will fall.
When the wind blows, Baby will fall.
Tuesday’s child is full of grace.Wednesday’s child is full of woe,
One for sorrow, two for joy.
Three for a girl, four for a boy.
Thursday’s child has far to go.Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home,
Lovely baby, gently sleep.
Catch him, crow! Carry him, kite!
Take him away till the apples are ripe.Day come white, or night come black,
Wednesday’s child is full of woe.
And miles to go before I sleep,
Thursday’s child has far to go.