Hands and the Hour (AATTBB) – PDF Download
Duration 3’30
Suitable for: Professional or amateur choirs.
In Winter’s House was co-comissioned by Chanticleer and Zero8.
Text: by Jane Draycott
Twilight, and no-one’s raised a hand
to close the shutters yet.
to close the shutters yet.
We have one hour,
this lamplit hall between arrivals and departures
between the day and night-time,
night-time and the day.
night-time and the day.
Bright illumination all along our street
the body’s heat draws inwards
like a tent lit up, like the warm low rays of sun
the body’s heat draws inwards
like a tent lit up, like the warm low rays of sun
between the day and night-time,
night-time and the day.
night-time and the day.
Light lingers in the parks and squares
small papers swirling there like leaves
not leaves but birds, not birds
but hands between the day and night-time,
night-time and the day.
On the cusp of dark the evening star appears
hope’s matchlight flaring, while below we cup
our hands around the glowing candle-flame of home.
hope’s matchlight flaring, while below we cup
our hands around the glowing candle-flame of home.
(between the day and night-time,
night-time and the day).
night-time and the day).
So many hands, small wingspans hovering
above the low fields of our fires.
Now winter is the glinting world,
summer the life to come
between the day and night-time,
night-time and the day.
night-time and the day.
Instant download and print.
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Need fewer copies? Please submit a special order request here.
Instant download and print.
- 10% discount for purchases of 10 copies or more. Use MARSH10 at checkout.
- 15% discount for purchases of 30 copies or more. Use MARSH30 at checkout.
Need fewer copies? Please submit a special order request here.
