ECS Publishing Eternitie - Herrick/McDermid - SSATB

Lyrics: Robert Herrick
Composer: J. Aaron McDermid
Format: Choral Octavo
Voicing; SSATB divisi a cappella

In his brief poem Eternitie, Robert Herrick (15911674) imagines the immense awe that accompanies leaving this world and entering the next. A hint of longing for what was in the opening words, "O Yeares! and Age!" gives way to peace and acceptance with "Farewell." The "Sea of vast Eternitie" in verse 2 is depicted through an undulating harmonic ostinato over a somewhat lonely and wandering melody. Any uncertainty in this verse gives way to grounded stability in verse 3, "Where never Moone shall sway the Starres." The music slowly grows in intensity over a bass pedal point to the high point of the piece: wonder and joy in the life of the world to come, being "drownd in one endlesse Day."
Duration: 3:45

Recording by the Clarion Singers, J. Aaron McDermid, conductor. St. James Episcopal Church, Los Angeles, CA. Live recording.