Strong Braid
A soaring musical metaphor for the interdependence of faith and reason
Music: Elizabeth Alexander
Words: Elizabeth Alexander
A soaring musical metaphor for the interdependence of faith and reason. As ecstatic paper kites ride unpredictable winds, a steady, reassuring braid keeps them safely anchored to the ground. With playfulness and vivid text painting, Strong Braid celebrates the dynamic tension that allows belief to flourish while remaining rooted in rational thought.
The fifth movement of Kindling: Small Reflections on a Limitless Faith, Strong Braid may be performed as a stand-alone piece.
Instrumentation: SATB, piano OR SATB, flute, horn, piano, string quartet
Note: The Choral Score is designed to be used with chamber ensemble performances as well as those accompanied only by piano. For chamber ensemble performances, the conductor uses the Conductor’s Score of the complete work (SEA-123-00).
Details and Ordering Information
Composer Notes
Despite how much I value rational thought, I’ve always had a wee little aversion to the word “humanism.” Because it’s grounded in science, reason, and rational thought, humanism can sometimes come across as dry and academic. It was clear I needed a metaphor. What if faith is an ecstatic kite, while humanism is the string that keeps it anchored to the ground? Yes! I felt like I finally understood the relationship between these two perspectives. Reason does not limit faith; it allows it to soar to great heights while remaining grounded and healthy.
Strong Braid
Aloft in the heady air of faith,
Our senses heightened by incense and ether,
We may from time to time become ecstatic paper kites.
We dive and keel and rocket,
Riding each wayward gust with abandon,
Recklessly aspiring to auroral heights —
Yet knowing all the while that we are safe,
Tethered to the ground by a strong braid, a steady hand,
And a mind that appraises the wind.
Elizabeth Alexander
© 2015 by Elizabeth Alexander
Performers
SATB, flute, horn, string quartet
Premiere: First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston / Jason Oby (Houston, TX)
Choir of Arlington Street Church / Mark Buckles (Boston, MA)
Choir of Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church / Mark Tuning (Walnut Creek, CA)
Choir of Unitarian Universalist Church of Atlanta / Donald Milton III (Atlanta, GA)
St Luke Presbyterian Church / David Lohman (St. Louis Park, MN)
SATB, piano
First Unitarian Univeralist Church of Rochester / Joe Mish (Rochester, MN)
