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Song of Miriam

for SSA choir and piano

Text by Rabbi Ruth Sohn

Published by Elaine Hagenberg Music.

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Inspired by the empowering poem by Rabbi Ruth Sohn, this piece describes the journey of a young woman who finds bravery amid uncertainty and fear. Middle Eastern harmonies paint an expansive desert landscape, while the voices search for faith and risk taking the first step, ultimately conquering fear to find the "song in my heart." Soaring melodies  and choral rhythms that create a delicious tension against the piano accompaniment make this a wonderful choice for mature treble choirs.

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I stand at the sea and turn
to face the desert stretching

endless and still.
My eyes are dazzled
The sky brilliant blue
Sunburnt sands unyielding white.
My hands turn to dove wings.
My arms
reach
for the sky
and I want to sing
the song rising inside me.
My mouth open
I stop.
Where are the words?

Where the melody?

In a moment of panic

My eyes go blind.

Can I take a step

Without knowing a

Destination?

Will I falter

Will I fall

Will the ground sink away from under me?

The song still unformed— How can I sing?

To take the first step—

To sing a new song—

Is to close one’s eyes

and dive

into unknown waters,

For a moment knowing nothing risking all—

But then to discover

The waters are friendly

The ground is firm.

And the song—

the song rises again.

Out of my mouth

come words lifting the wind. And I hear

for the first

the song

that has been in my heart silent

unknown

even to me.

"Song of Miriam" by Elaine Hagenberg
Play Video

Dorian Music Festival January 2020

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