Eric Whitacre

We didn’t record the concert in England, but Esther Jones, the NYCGB’s excellent assistant conductor, made a very, VERY rough rehearsal recording in the cathedral. Toward the end of the run-through some crazy kid came in the back of the hall and started clapping and then screaming right in the middle of the softest part, affixing forever his lovely voice on the only recording we were able to make. Considering the title of the piece is Sleep, My Child, this was kind of beautiful in a cosmic, let-everything-go-and-let the-universe-lighten-things-up-for-you-when-you-start-to-take-things-too-seriously way. It was also frickin’ annoying.

The concert was the first time the piece had been performed by a choir other than Chanticleer, and the first time I had heard it (and conducted it) live. I’m really happy with the way the arrangement came out… it will be in print within a month.

Here is the original version from Paradise Lost:

And here is the rough bootleg rehearsal version with insane kid obligato:

And here is the complete text:

When you dream of Paradise,
and the paradise it brings,
Remember: O, your heart is full of wings.

Remember,
Remember,
Remember,
Remember to listen for the lark, and sleep.

You’ll awaken tomorrow and spread your wings,
And you’ll grow, come to know all the shadows and joy that it brings,
When your heart aches, my heart aches and this is the song it sings:

Ah! Ah!

In your dreams you’re not alone,
Though mother’s child has flown,
And if the night that follows should be dark
Just listen for the lark, and sleep my child.

I can see in your eyes that the day is long,
And the pain and the rain and the wind make you feel that you’re wrong,
Out of sorrow tomorrow will bring you a brighter song:

Ah! Ah!

In your dreams you’re not alone,
Though mother’s child has flown,
And if the night that follows should be dark
Just listen for the lark, and sleep my child.
Sleep my child.
Sleep my child and dream.

~Lyrics by David Norona & Eric Whitacre