Perspectives (2015)

tenor, piano
c. 9 minutes
​text by Emily Dickinson

Movements:
I. The Stalwart
II. The Child
​III. The Scientist

When my church choir director first came to me with the idea of writing a song for him, I was instantly excited to see that he had selected several Emily Dickinson texts from which I could choose to use. I grew up in western Massachusetts, not far from Dickinson’s own house, and I have always loved her poetry. The texts my director selected all dealt with faith, but I was struck by the vast array of attitudes the poems had toward the subject. I ended up choosing three poems, each one representing a different perspective on faith: that of the stalwart, the child, and the scientist. In doing so, I hoped to leave my song cycle open to interpretation by both the performer and the audience. Each character at times feels a strong connection to faith—be it faith in a god or faith in a microscope—while at other moments begins to feel inklings of doubt. It is for each listener and performer to decide with whose perspective she most agrees, or whether she chooses to view faith from a different perspective altogether.
​

I. The Stalwart (915)
 
Faith—is the Pierless Bridge
Supporting what We see
Unto the Scene that We do not--
Too slender for the eye

It bears the Soul as bold
As it were rocked in Steel
With Arms of Steel at either side--
It joins—behind the Veil

To what, could We presume
The Bridge would cease to be
To Our far, vacillating Feet
A first Necessity. 

II. The Child (637)
 
The Child's faith is new--
Whole—like His Principle--
Wide—like the Sunrise
On fresh Eyes--
Never had a Doubt--
Laughs—at a Scruple--
Believes all sham
But Paradise--

Credits the World--
Deems His Dominion
Broadest of Saovereignties--
And Caesar—mean--
In the Comparison--
Baseless Emperor--
Ruler of Nought--
Yet swaying all--

III. The Scientist (202)
 
“Faith” is a fine invention
For Gentlemen who see!
But Microscopes are prudent
In an Emergency!

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