Paradise
George Herbert (1593-1633) was born in Montgomery Castle in mid-Wales. His beautiful poem, “Paradise”, has long appealed to readers both for its sentiment and for its successively “pruned” end-rhymes. When I learned that one of the root meanings of the word “paradise” is “walled garden” I knew this poem would be particularly appropriate for the 75th Anniversary of the Gregynog Festival. The straightforward (though “growing”) setting of Herbert’s poem is framed by phrases in Vulgate Latin that are gradually “pruned” to a bell-like echoing figure. “Paradise” was commissioned for Tenebrae with support from the Holst Foundation and Welsh Music Guild on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of Gŵyl Gregynog Festival, Artistic Director Rhian Davies, June 15 2008.
I Bless thee, Lord, because I GROW
Among thy trees, which in a ROW
To thee both fruit and order OW.
What open force, or hidden CHARM
Can blast my fruit, or bring me HARM,
While the inclosure is thine ARM.
Inclose me still for fear I START.
Be to me rather sharp and TART,
Then let me want thy hand and ART.
When thou dost greater judgments SPARE,
And with thy knife but prune and PARE,
Ev’n fruitfull trees more fruitful ARE.
Such sharpness shows the sweetest FREND:
Such cuttings rather heal then REND:
And such beginnings touch their END.
Adorate Dominum
in atrio sancto eius
George Herbert (1593-1633)
Vulgate, Ps. 95(96), v. 9
Rowanberry Music
c/o Hilary Tann
136 Route 4N
Schuylerville, NY 12871
03/01/2009 by Harvard University Choir, Edward Jones, conductor
