This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Farewell
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Farewell by Frederic Woodman Root — Lyrics
The dewdrop is never so clear
As when morning’s first ray sees it glisten;
And music is never so clear
As when to its last notes we listen.
We never know how we have loved,
Till what we’ve most loved has departed;
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About Farewell
Frederic Woodman Root was an American composer and teacher of singing. His secular partsong Farewell, for SATB choir, explores themes of loss and the bittersweet nature of memory. The English text reflects on how love and affection are most keenly felt when the object of that love has departed, and how cherished moments, like shooting stars, are often most radiant as they fade. Root’s composition, typical of 19th-century American choral writing, aims to convey the poignant sentiment of the lyrics through thoughtful harmonic and melodic treatment. It offers a reflective and emotive experience for both singers and listeners, touching upon universal feelings of longing and appreciation.
