Spring from William Blake’s Songs of Innocence
Waiting/ John Burroughs
Waiting is on the “Ode on a Grecian Urn” albums (I and II) You can also buy the mp3 at the “store” on this site. Thanks for your support!
SERENE, I fold my hands and wait,
Nor care for wind, nor tide, nor sea;
I rave no more ‘gainst time or fate,
For, lo! my own shall come to me.I stay my haste, I make delays,
For what avails this eager pace?
I stand amid the eternal ways,
And what is mine shall know my face.Asleep, awake, by night or day,
The friends I seek are seeking me;
No wind can drive my bark astray,
Nor change the tide of destiny.What matter if I stand alone?
I wait with joy the coming years;
My heart shall reap where it hath sown,
And garner up its fruit of tears.The waters know their own and draw
The brook that springs in yonder height;
So flows the good with equal law
Unto the soul of pure delight.The stars come nightly to the sky;
The tidal wave unto the sea;
Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high,
Can keep my own away from me.The Chimney Sweepers
William Blake’s The Chimney Sweeper from Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience recorded in Tucson Arizona. Link above to YouTube. Click on picture for another link to Blake’s work.
Recently been short of breath. So did the best I could for now.
Hope you enjoy them.
A Dream
New music for “A Dream” from the “Songs of Innocence” by William Blake. Recorded at home in Tucson to document the musical ideas. Hope you enjoy it.
Enjoyed this song? Grab the MP3 (just the song with flute and cello added) for just 99 cents!
Music for Rumors from an Aeolian Harp
Here’s a video of the Henry David Thoreau’s poem “Rumors from an Aeolian Harp”.
“…The tread of high souled men go by
Their thoughts conversing with the sky.”
Benedictus Eternita
A little symphonic piece:
On Another’s Sorrow
Music for William Blake’s “On Another’s Sorrow” from his Songs of Innocence. This is taken from a cassette tape recording of many years ago. This is scored and ready for performance…when I find a violist, violinist or cellist!
Like this song? Buy the MP3 for just 99 cents!
Keats’ Ode to A Nightingale
The album “Ode on a Grecian Urn” now includes Keats’ “Ode to a Nightingale.” Click here to link to lulu.com. It’s also available at amazon.com in the Ode to a Grecian Urn II album.
Thanks for your support.
Ode to a Nightingale, John Keats
First draft of John Keats’ famous poem “Ode to a Nightingale”. Just me with my guitar…. oops, says file is too big! The song turned out to be right at 10 minutes long. O.k. I’ll see what else I can do.So here’s a preview of the first two verses:
Here’s the first two lines again but different:
I’ve been playing with violin, viola, cello and flute which all sound good, but I keep coming back to the bare bones creation. What can I say!
Thank you, John for this beautiful poem. I hope you like what I’m doing with it.
Nearly Ready….or do I speak too soon!
Ode to a Nightingale is finally pulling together. I’m getting very close to beginning the recording process. My first reaction to putting this great work to music was a bit overwhelming. But patient, inching progress has led to something I think will be very nice and fitting of the great sentiments.
My favorite part: “Was it a vision or a waking dream? Fled is that music-do I wake or sleep?” (The very last lines)
Of course I love the whole poem. I hope you will like what I’m doing with it.
About Michael
Michael Emmanuel has been making music most of his life. His blend of folk and classical music creates a unique sound that is engaging, intelligent and compelling.
Relying on original lyrics as well as some of the great Romantic poems of the past, his songs evoke a sense of connection to our fellow man, the world and the universe.
Beyond being a singer/songwriter and guitarist. Michael is an accomplished classical tenor and pianist.
Shaman’s Hand: BTR
