This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Despondency
Staff Notation • Sacred
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · Barry Johnston
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Despondency by Walter Janes — Lyrics
1. Oft have I sat in secret sighs
To feel my flesh decay;
Then groaned aloud with frighted eyes,
To view the tottering clay.
2. But I forbid my sorrows now,
Nor dares the flesh complain;
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About Despondency
This setting of an English devotional text is suitable for occasions of reflection, perhaps during Lent. Walter Janes's SATB arrangement explores the transformation of despair into spiritual hope. The lyrics move from an initial expression of dread at physical decay to a joyous acceptance of the body's frailty, seeing it as a prelude to a higher, spiritual existence. The music would likely reflect this journey, beginning with introspection and building towards a more confident and exultant conclusion. This piece offers a powerful message of faith overcoming worldly anxieties, making it a compelling choice for a choir seeking to convey profound emotional and spiritual depth.
