Sleep

Eric Whitacre

Sleep began its life as an a cappella choral setting, with a magnificent poem by Charles Anthony Silvestri.  The chorale-like nature and warm harmonies seemed to call out for the simple and plaintive sounds of winds.  Sleep can be performed as a work for band, or band and mixed chorus.

 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 mind’s a flight;
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,
As I surrender unto sleep.
Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep.

Terms

Lento – Very slow tempo
Lontano – from a distance, distantly
Molto – very
Legato – smooth and connected

Poco – little
Piu – more
Mosso – motion

Dolce – sweetly

Esprissivo – (esp.) expressively

Dim. (diminuendo) – gradually getting softer
Poco a poco – little by little
Al niente – sound dying away to nothing