Soprano and harpist Emma Horwood’s beautiful recording of Swan Of Ire, the final song in the song cycle THE STORY OF BRIGID. Gorgeous video by Emlyn.
The sun calls to the birds, “leave the lake. Fly home now.”
With beating wings the swans rise up, filling the air with their sound.
Swan of Ire. Swan of fire.
“Come home now,” calls the sun.
Swan of Ire. Swan of fire.
“Come home now, exalted one.”
Brigid walks to the shore, for she has heard the sun's words.
With outstretched arms she rises up, into the sky with the birds.
Swan of Ire. Swan of fire.
“Come home now,” calls the sun.
Swan of Ire. Flame of fire. “
Come home now, exalted one.”
Brigid stands in the sky, spinning sunlight into words.
She sends them down to the poets, borne on the wings of flying birds.
Stunning South Australian soprano Sidonie Henbest and pianist Mark Sandon perform my setting of PRAYER FOR MOTHER, a meditation on psalm 23.
At dawn the last of her night stars steer my path.
Through the trees I see the way. I see the way.
When the sun is hot I rest in her green grass,
I drink from her river. I am restored.
She lifts me high in her expectation.
She holds me close when I am hurt.
She talks me through my fears.
I have heard death’s low drum,
But She knows the smallness of death in the vast universe
and is not afraid.
She feeds me, she nurtures my body, she fortifies me.
Like a child I surrender. I rest my head against her.
She will bring sanctuary to my weary, weary soul.
For all of the days of my life.