Eric Whitacre

 

                        Sleep


The evening hangs beneath the moon
A silver thread on darkened dune
With closing eyes and resting head
I know that sleep is coming soon


Upon my pillow, safe in bed,
A thousand pictures fill my head,
I cannot sleep, my minds aflight,
And yet my limbs seem made of lead


If there are noises in the night,
A frightening shadow, flickering light....
Then I surrender unto sleep,
Where clouds of dream give second sight.


What dreams may come, both dark and deep
Of flying wings and soaring leap
As I surrender unto sleep
As I surrender unto sleep.


      ~Charles Anthony Silvestri~


     I have loved this song ever since my dear M. was in her school choir and they were singing music written by Eric Whitacre.  Hearing the choir perform year after year I had heard so many lovely pieces as her choir teacher seem to pluck music out that sounded perfect for their performances.  It was she who prompted me to keep asking or looking for more of his work and we did.  Mr. Whitacre is a brilliant composer that writes music that moves the soul in ways unimaginable until one hears it.  Live is best but recordings are what I have so I play his music when my soul needs a deafening to all the outside world.  Here I am drowned in the peaks and falls of the voices of men, women and youth who sing his works.  Oh to be able to sing with them in a unison of bliss!