Catalogue no. 3016
The optimists’ song
Dum spiro spero
Music: Sheena Phillips, Words: Peter Hill
Voicing: SATB
Performance time approx: 2m 00s
Price code: B
Complexity:
The set includes:
It may not be fashionable to be optimistic these days, but in case you get taken that way, try this song. The Latin words ‘dum spiro spero’ (literally ‘as long as I breathe, I hope’ – or ‘while there’s life, there’s hope’) run throughout the piece and the ‘sp’ sound adds a syncopated percussive effect. In the verses the upper voices should sound utterly joyful, the ‘dum spiro spero’ underneath becoming more of an accompaniment.
A recording by Rudsambee company of singers is available on their album bottled at source (RUBEECD003).
The optimists' song
(Dum spiro spero)
dum spiro spero ... [while I breathe, I hope]
While I live I'll hold on to
Dreams that I know can come true
Never waver, hold on tight
And everything will turn out right
This world can see peace and plenty,
The glass is half full not half empty
Truth and justice cannot fail,
Honesty and freedom will prevail
Peter Hill