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I Sang - (2009)
Carl Sandburg
for medium voice and piano
I sang to you and the moon
But only the moon remembers.
I sang
O reckless free-hearted
free-throated rhythms,
Even the moon remembers them
And is kind to me.[ 1 page, circa 1' 05" ]
Carl Sandburg
The text is taken from Sandburg's collection, Chicago Poems (1916), and was inscribed "To My Wife and pal, Lillian Steichen Sandburg." The notion of considering a wife a pal is charming, as is the remembrance of singing to her and the moon.
The setting is simple, with the snap rhythm used as a signature for the accompaniment, along with the simple harmonic progressions to evoke an Americana, hymn-sing style.
The score for I Sang is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this piano-vocal score.
