US Army Pfc. Jesse Givens died in Iraq in the service of his country on the first of May, 2003, in his 34th year. He wrote this letter to his wife Melissa, his five year-old son Dakota (nicknamed '...
US Army Pfc. Jesse Givens died in Iraq in the service of his country on the first of May, 2003, in his 34th year. He wrote this letter to his wife Melissa, his five year-old son Dakota (nicknamed 'Toad') and his unborn child Carson (nicknamed 'Bean'). He asked Melissa not to open the envelope unless he was killed. 'Please, only read it if I don't come home,' he wrote. 'Please put it away and hopefully you will never have to read it.'
This piece was originally composed for Cantus, a male chorus, which performs it on tour all over the country (www.cantusonline.org). Melissa Givens approved this musical setting. A beautiful article that includes more of the original letter can be found at www.thefinalrollcall.us/stories/bye-bye. htm
Andrew Garland, baritone Lee Hoiby, composer and pianist www.andrewgarland.com www.leehoiby.com Copyright Schott Music Corp. 2007
Like to rate videos and let people know what you think?
Automatically share your ratings, favorites, and more on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Reader with YouTube Autoshare.
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
Like to share videos with friends?
Automatically share your ratings, favorites, and more on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Reader with YouTube Autoshare.
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
Composer Lee Hoiby just released a CD with this song on it titled "A Pocket of Time." Find it on Amazon. The majority of the royalties from that album are going to the widow of Pfc. Jesse Givens.
I've seen this guy sing for the semi final at the Montreal International voice competition in May 2009. Though he got the third prize, I truly believe he was the best and I am pretty sure he will go farther than anybody in this competition.
Very moving -- extraordinary --- Too bad so many Christians have to die for the racist state of Israel. No more wars for the filthy jewish state!! Let them fight their own wars. Why do jews always have so many enemies? They should review their sick barbaric behavior!!
So you think that, if we back off and appease the Islamists, then they'll let all the Christians happily trot off into the sunset? Like in Iraq and Afghanistan? Oh, that's right, they don't. Do you ever read a newspaper?
I am not anti-Islam, anti-Christian or anything else other than anti-stupidity.
they all hate isreal because that was their land until england sanctioned it and gave it to the jews after world war II, and your the only one that seems racist here, what the hell is wrong with you?
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
BASTARDS fucking afgahnistan and iraq should be wiped off the face of this earth we need russia's help!
I am not anti-Islam, anti-Christian or anything else other than anti-stupidity.
outstanding