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Dialogue betwixt Oliver Cromwell and Charon
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Dialogue betwixt Oliver Cromwell and Charon by Henry Hall — Lyrics
Cromwell
Haste, Charon, haste, 'tis Noll commands thy speed,
Charon, I'm he that made three kingdoms bleed.
Charon
Proud soul, so black's thy guilt, I know thee well,
thou dost those shades in colour far excel
and seem'st a beauty spot to whiten hell.
Cromwell
Dear Charon, haste, vast streams of injured blood pursue,
and horrid is its cry and dreadful is its hue.
Charon
Stay, stay, how guilty must thou be,
who choosest hell for sanctuary;
thy weighty crimes will never let thee float,
but singly thou wilt sink my mighty boat.
Cromwell
Charon, no more delay, you now presume too far,
remember, remember what I was in war.
Did Charles and shall not I pass o'er the lake?
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About Dialogue betwixt Oliver Cromwell and Charon
This dramatic and engaging secular partsong imagines a posthumous encounter between Oliver Cromwell and Charon, the ferryman of the underworld. The text depicts Cromwell, still boastful of his earthly power and the bloodshed he caused, demanding passage across the river of death. Charon, however, is unimpressed, recognizing Cromwell's immense guilt and questioning his worthiness to cross. The dialogue, set in English, is powerfully realised through the TB.SAB voicing, allowing for a rich interplay between the characters. It offers a thought-provoking and theatrical musical experience for choirs looking for a substantial and narrative-driven piece.
