The Song of Wandering Aengus

Commissioned by the Messalonskee High School Chorus, Oakland, ME.

This fun piece features a baritone soloist who narrates a mythical story from his youth. The choir performs an accompanimental role, providing texture and tonal context to the baritone’s story.

2008 • 4min • SSATB+baritone solo

by William Butler Yeats

I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
and hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like starts were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.

When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire aflame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And someone called me by my name:
It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.

Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
and pluck till time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.

The Song of Wandering Aengus

Performed by the Westminster Composers' Ensemble, Michael Fili, conductor

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