Music and Texts of GARY BACHLUND
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If I can stop one heart from breaking - (2015)
Emily Dickinson
for medium or low voice and piano
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.[ 1 page, circa 1' 20" ]
Emily Dickinson
The text is found in Dickinson's Complete Poems, (1924). For more on Dickinson please see the additional information accompanying Because I Could Not Stop For Death.
A simple, long-lined harmonic progression begun on the tonic major seven moves simply over the span of the song to its return. Sostenuto over each two measure phrase is noted, harp-like. The vocal range of a tenth allows the negation, "not," to sing out at the highest point to underpin the affirmation of the text.
The score 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.
