Audio Download
20686254
The Hebrew Class - alto and guitar (mp3)
20686254
20686254
20686254
Details
Alto Voice,Guitar - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1059545
Composed by David Warin Solomons. 20th Century,Jewish,Multicultural,World. Full Performance. Duration 295. David Warin Solomons #3420817. Published by David Warin Solomons (A0.1059545).The melody is in a Jewish mode (harmonic minor) and explores the emotions of a race trying to keep to its traditions despite being in a permanent minority. "Dark night of the year the clinging ice a blue-pavement Dresden".(Poem by Carol Rumens). The song is performed by the composer.
Score available at
Dark night of the year
the clinging ice a blue-pavement Dresden smoking still
and in lands more deeply frozen the savage thaw of tanks
But in the Hebrew class it is warm as childhood
it is Cheder is it "Sunday school".
It is the golden honey of approval,
the slow grainy tear
saved for the bread of a child
newly broken on the barbs of his Alef Bet
To show him that knowledge is sweet
and obedience by the same token
So we taste power and pleasing
and the white chalk lisps on the board
milky as our first words.
We try to shine for our leader.
How almost perfectly human
this little circle of bright heads
bowed before the declaration
of grammatical law.
Who could divide our nation of study?
not even God
We are blank pages hungry for the pen
we are ploughed fields soft and ripe for planting
what music rises and falls as we softly read?
Oh smiling children
oh dangerously gifted ones
take care that you learn to ask why.
For the room you are in is also history.
Consider your sweet compliance in the light of the day
when the book is torn from your hand
When to answer your teacher's command
you must speak for this ice
this dark.
©Carol Rumens
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