Farewell at Yang Gate

This secular glee for SATB voices sets a poignant Chinese text, capturing the sorrow of parting. The words paint a vivid scene of a farewell at Yang Gate, where morning rain has freshened the dust and the willows by the guesthouse are newly green. The singer is urged to drink one last cup of wine, for beyond the pass, there will be no old friends. The music reflects the deep reluctance to leave, with tears falling and the realization that after this parting, one will be alone. The text expresses longing and the hope for a swift reunion, with thoughts of the absent friend filling every moment of the day. It conveys a profound sense of melancholy and enduring affection between friends separated by distance.