Into the Silent Darkness
A searching mediation on facing life’s wild, primeval mysteries with fear, faith and alleluias.
Music: Elizabeth Alexander
Words: Richard S. Gilbert
An evocative choral piece affirming the fathomless mystery of creation in all of its wildness, complexity and beauty. Accompanied by atmospheric piano textures and sinuous violin lines, this searching meditation culminates in cascades of echoing alleluias..
Details and Ordering Information
The Beyond from which we come
Is hidden in dark moist mysteries of primeval mud
And the silence between the stars,
Dwells in the recesses of the soul,
Beckons us into a wilderness,
Reveals itself at its own bidding.
From its vast complexity
Arises simple ecstasy.
We go forth in fear and faith,
Knowing not what we will find —
We sing our alleluias into the silent darkness,
To the Beyond from which we come.
Poem by Richard S. Gilbert
Adapted by Elizabeth Alexander
Poem © by Richard S. Gilbert
Performers
Premiere: Unity Singers of Unity Church-Unitarian / Ruth Palmer (St. Paul, MN)
Choir of Arlington Street Church / Mark Buckles (Boston, MA)
