As It Was

This work consists of settings of three poems by Edward Thomas which are preceded by a prelude and divided by two interludes, all of which follow without a break. The poems are set from the point of view of the poet’s wife, Helen, and the title of the piece is taken from one of the books she wrote about life with her husband following his death on the Western Front in 1917. The music not only provides a setting for the poems, but also acts out a scenario which is far more dramatic than the words appear to imply. It is as if the poems are the singer’s surface thoughts, but the music suggests she is aware of a much greater tragedy to which she will not consciously admit. 

The work was commissioned by the Music Production Company with funds from the RVW Trust and was premiered by the group with soprano Jane Manning at the Church of the Advent, Boston USA on 3 May 1985. It is dedicated to Rodney Lister.

I – Parting 

                                        The Past is a strange land, most strange.
                                        Wind blows not there, nor does rain fall:
                                        If they do they cannot hurt at all.
                                        Men of all kinds as equals range

                                        The soundless fields and streets of it.
                                        Pleasure and pain there have no sting,
                                        The perished self not suffering
                                        That lacks all blood and nerve and wit,

                                        And is in shadow-land a shade.
                                        Remembered joy and misery
                                        Bring joy to the joyous equally:
                                        Both sadden the sad.

II – When We Two Walked

                                        When we two walked in Lent
                                        We imagined that happiness
                                        Was something different
                                        And this was something less.

                                        But happy were we to hide
                                        Our happiness, not as they were
                                        Who acted in their pride
                                        Juno and Jupiter:                                       

                                        For the gods in their jealousy
                                        Murdered that wife and man,
                                        And we that were wise live free
                                        To recall our happiness then.

III – In Memoriam (Easter 1915)

                                        The flowers left thick at nightfall in the wood
                                        This Eastertide call into mind the men,
                                        Now far from home, who, with their sweethearts, should
                                            Have gathered them and will do never again.

Edward Thomas