DEAD SONGS

“Dead Songs was composed in June 1991 and consists of settings of texts adapted from epitaphs collected from New South Wales seaside cemeteries at Wombarra, Bulli, South Head and Waverley. Many of the texts are combinations of several different epitaphs … and in some cases graffiti or other found texts that made a useful connection have found their way into the work. It was the simplicity of expression, the occasional unintentional humour and even the heartfelt Australian mawkishness of the texts that attracted me to them as sources for a song cycle.” (A.S.)

1. Buried at Sea

Gently his voice callethCome and rest. The midnight stars are shining upon

his silent grave,Where sleepeth without dreaming

the one we could not save. Love knows no death,Spirits meet across the bridge.

2. His Dust

Gone are the faces we loved so dearSilent the voices, we loved to hearFar, too far, from sight or speech,But not too far for our thoughts to reach.Anchored by love, death cannot sear.Oh! How we miss them, and will do for

ever.

3. And Underneath are the Everlasting Arms

(clarinet and piano)

4. Ahead of His Time: Little Jackie, Killed by a Taxi Cab, 1911

Our little treasureOur little joy.

“Here I am where I want to be In the Haven under the Hill.”

4. Ahead of His Time: Little Jackie, Killed by a Taxi Cab, 1911

Our little sunbeamOur darling boy.

“Here I am where I want to be In the Haven under the Hill.”

4. Ahead of His Time: Little Jackie, Killed by a Taxi Cab, 1911

Mummie and Daddy's Pal.

5. Dead Devils [open book with graffiti]

 (clarinet, 'cello and piano)

6. Agnus Dei

 A few weeks of joyA lifetime of memories. He shall gather the lambs in his arms andCarry them in his bosom.

7. The Tahiti-Greycliffe Disaster, Sydney Harbour, 1927

It seems but a day since he bade us goodbyeHis heart full of hope and his spirit so highHow little we thought when he left us that dayThe grim hand of death would soon tear him awaySo gentle and kind - how we miss his dear faceNow we know that on earth we can ne'er fill his

placeTho' asleep in the saviour, where grief is unknownIn sorrow and tears are his loved ones at home.

8. Peace Perfect Peace

Father and mother safe in the valeWatch for the boatman, wait for the sail,Bearing the loved ones over the tideInto the harbour, near to their side.

"Master Marriner - Dead At Sea."

9. Unreconstructed Sentiment [Crumbled

Deploration]Sadly . . .A sudden change at God's . . . He had not time to . . .

A little longer . . .. . . we too shall leave,

Oh loved one "[fa]che

amoureuse,"

9. Unreconstructed Sentiment [Crumbled

Deploration]

A little while longer . . .. . . we too shall leave,For that beautiful shore.

We pray that . . .. . . with the angels now.

"Brief mes jours definer.“

……………….