Orlando Gibbons -The Silver Swan

[musiclovingtexan13]

oh john rutter, i tried for years in vain for my heart to not belong to you, but you are just too good!! :)

[irateofwatford]

It's a marvellous little jewel of a song, but no matter how much I respect the Cambridge Singers they make it sound like a church service.

[jculpepper]

Ayn Rand!!?? When did she care about poetry or music, or anything of value without price?

[jculpepper]

Ayn Rand!! When did she care about poetry or music, or anything of value without price.

[singer1924]

Beautiful interpretation. I have a slight preference for the hilliard ensemble's though, for its touching lightness.

[Desandon]

i found this peace beautiful, but so depressing, that i could not bring myself to sing it

[nicodagger]

@Desandon yes, it is depressing....Gibbons was writing about the end of a glorious era, and found that 'more geese than swans now live, more fools than wise"....very sad...Gibbons was the last in a long line that included Morley, Downland, Campion...and many more...

[rosapluemchen]

we sing this, too. but in this recording it is hard to understand the lyrics...

[tuxguys]

What transcendent music.

The lyrics:

The silver swan, who living had no note,

when death approached, unlocked her silent throat.

Leaning her breast upon the reedy shore,

thus sang her first and last, and sang no more:

"Farewell, all joys! O death, come close mine eyes!

More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise."

Ayn Rand could not have put it more gracefully.

[titussenlair]

Very nice moment . Thanks for sharing

[loupblanc26]

Thanks J-M

[loupblanc26]

Choir? Beautiful interpretation! Thanks

[bartje11]

It's John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers

[nicodagger]

@bartje11 Beautifully sung!

[nicodagger]

@bartje11 Brilliant! Orlando is proud.