SP1007
Dream Angus
Music: trad. arr. Sheena Phillips, Words: Trad. Anon
Voicing: SATB divisi
Performance time approx: 2m 30s
Range S: b♭ – f'' / A: g – b'♭ / T: e♭ – f' / B: E♭ – a♭ / soli: g – b'♭
Price code: C
Complexity:
The figure of Angus Og (whose name means ‘ever young’) is an ancient Celtic deity, associated in many stories with youth, beauty and love — though in others he is portrayed as a frightening figure or trickster, with power over death and the underworld. In this traditional lullaby he appears in his more benign guise as a bringer of sweet dreams.
Sheena Phillips’ beautiful arrangement creates a backdrop of slowly moving harmonies, by turns rich and grounded, then chromatic and ethereal. You will need some bass singers who can reach low E♭.
The recording is by the Lancaster Chorale, Ohio, dir. Robert Trocchia.
Can ye no hush your weepin' oh,
A' the wee lambs are sleepin' oh,
[all]
Birdies are nestlin', nestlin' thegither,[together]
Dream Angus is hirpling owre the heather.[loping / striding over]
Dreams to sell, fine dreams to sell,
Angus is here wi' dreams to sell.
Hush ye my baby and sleep without fear,
Dream Angus has brought you a dream, my dear.
List to the curlew cryin' oh,[listen]
Fainter the echoes dyin' oh,
Even the birds and beasties are sleepin',
But my bonny bairn is weepin', weepin'.[beautiful child]
traditional Scottish