Heritage Music Press Omnia Sol (Let Your Heart be Staid)

Author/Composer:

STROOPE, Z. RANDALL

Instrumentation:

SATB ACCOMP

Model #:

15/2134H

The text of this stunning original piece is macaronic (the mixing of two languages), in that the English poetry contains a brief verse of Latin found in the poetry of "Carmina Burana." From a deeper perspective, this farewell or 'song of parting' is a reflection on the constant passage of events and people in life's continuum, and the human need to anchor words of love and commitment in the hearts of those who have been pillars along life's way. One's life has an inseparable kinship with others. The metaphor for that kinship in this piece is 'omnia sol' (or 'everywhere light' [sun]), and that kinship or light is perpetuated by our daily investing and leaving a bit of ourselves in every soul we encounter. Though we mature and 'move on,' part of us is 'staid' in the hearts and minds of those we chance to meet.