Three Biblical Love Songs

Scoring

1. David and Jonathan
TTBB a cappella or orchestrated for strings and harp

2. Entreat Me Not To Go From You
SSA, mezzo-soprano soloist, strings, harp (optional hammered dulcimer).
May be performed with just harp, or harp and hammered dulcimer. The choral score includes the scoring for harp with hammered dulcimer and a separate system for harp without hammered dulcimer.
The orchestral score includes harp, hammered dulcimer and strings. The hammered dulcimer part is optional in the orchestral version as well.

3. Rise Up, My Fair One SATB a cappella or orchestrated for strings and harp

Details

Duration:4:50/4:30/3:15

Year Composed:2012-13

Premiered by:

Lehigh University Choral Arts,
Steven Sametz, director
October, 2013

Commissioned by:

No. 2 is dedicated to Lyle Kahle
No. 3 was commissioned by The Cheyenne Chamber Chorus, Sean Ambrose, director

Recorded:

Lehigh University Choral Arts
Steven Sametz, director

Publication Information:

Steven Sametz Publications

Program Notes

The Three Biblical Love Songs offers three aspects of Biblical love: Jonathan’s love of David (Book of Samuel), Ruth’s love of Naomi (Book of Ruth) and the passionate love found in the Song of Songs. The choruses were composed at different times during 2012 and the third was the result of a commission from the Cheyenne Chamber Singers. They may be performed separately or as a set. Nos. 1 and 3 may be performed a cappella or in the orchestration for strings and harp; No. 2 may be performed in the full orchestration or with harp (optional hammered dulcimer).

Text / translation

No. 1. David et Jonathan (David and Jonathan)

Anima Jonathan conligata est, animae David
et dilexit eum Jonathan
quasi animam suam.

Inierunt autem Jonathan et David foedus
enim eum quasi
animam suam.

(et dilexit Jonathan eum et dilexit eum David conligata animae suae
nunc et sempiterna)

– 1 Samuel 18 (paraphrase)

2 . Entreat Me Not To Go From You

Entreat me not to go from you, nor return from following you,
for where you go, so I shall go; and where you lodge, I shall lodge, your people shall be my people, your God shall be my God,
and when you die so I too shall die,
and where you are buried there I shall lie,
the Lord do so to me also, if ought but death part you and I.

– Book of Ruth, 1: 16-17

3. Rise Up, My Love, And Come Away

Rise up, my fair one and come away,
for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flow’rs appear upon the earth;
the time of singing of birds has come,
the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land; the fig tree sends forth her tender shoots,
and the vines their blossoms.
Rise up, my fair one and come away.

– Song of Songs, 2:10-13

Translation

No. 1 David and Jonathan

The soul of Jonathan was bound with the soul of David
and Jonathan loved him
as his own soul

Moreover, Jonathan
and David made a covenant because he loved him
as his own soul.
(and Jonathan loved him and David loved him bound are their souls
now and evermore)

Purchase

Contact Sametz directly for information on renting a full-sized score.

All scores are downloadable PDFs, excluding rental materials. After completing your purchase, you will be sent a link to the PDFs, allowing you to print off the score.

Three Biblical Love Songs 1. David and Jonathan - Choral Score

Three Biblical Love Songs 2. Entreat Me Not To Go From You - Choral Score

Three Biblical Love Songs 3. Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One - Choral Score

Three Biblical Love Songs 1. David and Jonathan - Study Score

Three Biblical Love Songs 2. Entreat Me Not To Go From You - Study Score

Three Biblical Love Songs 3. Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One - Study Score

Three Biblical Love Songs 1. David and Jonathan - Parts

Three Biblical Love Songs 2. Entreat Me Not To Go From You - Parts

Three Biblical Love Songs 3. Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One - Parts