Song of the Midnight Battlefield (alto flute and percussion) (2006)

The third in a series of four pieces (Chohanga,Chohanga 2, Song of the Midnight Battlefield, and Second Song of the Midnight Battlefield) concerned with the dilemma of a young soldier at night. This piece was written with the text "Come Heavy Sleep" in mind.


Come Heavy Sleep

Anonymous (Britain)



Come heavy sleep, the image of the true death,

And close up these my weary weeping eyes,

Whose spring of tears doth stop my vital breath

Come, and possess my tired thought-worn soul

That in living dies, till thou on me be stole. 

 

Come, shadow of my end and shape of rest,

Allied to death, child to his black-faced night;

Come thou and charm these rebels in my breast

Whose walking fancies do my mind of fright.

O Come sweet sleep, come or I die for ever.

Come ere my last sleep comes, or come never. 



This piece was written for JosZwaanenburg.