- Poul Ruders
Oh, Mother (2015)
- Edition Wilhelm Hansen Copenhagen (World)
Unavailable for performance.
Programme Note
For lyric soprano, guitar and string quartet
End of Act One: The Thirteenth Child
Lyrics by Becky and David Starobin
On her deathbed, Queen Gertrude reveals to Princess Lyra that she has twelve brothers. Before dying, Gertrude begs Lyra to search for her brothers. Lyra vows to find them.
LYRA:
"Oh, Mother, your hand still warm
guide me, your strength be mine forever hold
me in your arms. I will find them and break
the silence which bound you. We shall be
whole, we shall be healed together, Mother.
Restore my soul, your love be ours. Now hold
your child, let dreams surround.
The lilies blooming red as blood are daggers
through my empty heart.
The night air groans, the raven wails, oh
shield my empty breast
.
Your blood now pulsing through my veins.
Oh, Mother lend your strength.
(Lyra holds the smallest shirt to herself)
Forever will I search, though now in sorrow
drown'd until made whole our lives renewed,
to break the silent vow.
Oh, bright star of Frohagord, emblazoned on
thy face, unite our love, let shadows lift and
point us to a higher place."
End of Act One: The Thirteenth Child
Lyrics by Becky and David Starobin
On her deathbed, Queen Gertrude reveals to Princess Lyra that she has twelve brothers. Before dying, Gertrude begs Lyra to search for her brothers. Lyra vows to find them.
LYRA:
"Oh, Mother, your hand still warm
guide me, your strength be mine forever hold
me in your arms. I will find them and break
the silence which bound you. We shall be
whole, we shall be healed together, Mother.
Restore my soul, your love be ours. Now hold
your child, let dreams surround.
The lilies blooming red as blood are daggers
through my empty heart.
The night air groans, the raven wails, oh
shield my empty breast
.
Your blood now pulsing through my veins.
Oh, Mother lend your strength.
(Lyra holds the smallest shirt to herself)
Forever will I search, though now in sorrow
drown'd until made whole our lives renewed,
to break the silent vow.
Oh, bright star of Frohagord, emblazoned on
thy face, unite our love, let shadows lift and
point us to a higher place."