This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Daybreak
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Daybreak by Joseph Eaton Faning — Lyrics
A wind came up out of the sea,
And said, “O mists, make room for me.”
It hailed the ships, and cried, “Sail on,
Ye mariners, the night is gone.”
And hurried landward far away,
Crying, “Awake! it is the day.”
It said unto the forest, “Shout!
Hang all your leafy banners out!”
It touched the woodbird’s folded wing,
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About Daybreak
The composer conjures a vivid sonic landscape that perfectly captures the awakening of a new day. The SATB voices engage in a playful, imitative dialogue, mirroring the energetic advance of the wind and its calls to nature. From the opening gusts to the eventual quietude of the churchyard, the music shifts seamlessly, reflecting the text's progression from sea and land to the final, peaceful repose. The interplay between the vocal lines paints a rich picture, illustrating the wind's journey as it rouses the world from slumber, urging everything to celebrate the dawn. This is a delightful secular piece, full of life and dynamic vocal writing.
