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The Song My Paddle Sings

from Seasons of Life and Landscape by Canadian Chamber Choir

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about

Matthew Emery (London, Ont.)
The Song My Paddle Sings, 2012
Text / Texte : E. Pauline Johnson (Tekahionwake)
For unaccompanied mixed choir. Commissioned by the Woodstock Fanshawe Singers. Published by Cypress Choral Canada as part of The Canadian Chamber Choir Series for Accomplished Choirs.

This is a portrait of child-like innocence and deep connection to the natural world. Emery’s trademark harmonic language is reminiscent of Lauridsen and serves as a wonderful vehicle for this iconic Canadian poem. The music ebbs and flows just like the canoe journeying along its path.

Pour chœur mixte non accompagné. Commande des Woodstock Fanshawe Singers publiée par Cypress Choral Canada dans le cadre de la collection du Chœur de chambre du Canada pour les chœurs de haut niveau.

Ce portrait d’innocence enfantine trace une connexion profonde au monde naturel. Le langage harmonique de Matthew Emery rappelle Lauridsen et rend parfaitement les images de ce poème canadien emblématique. La musique monte et descend comme un canoë qui suit son chemin.

lyrics

West wind, blow from your prairie nest,
Blow from the mountains, blow from the west.
The sail is idle, the sailor too;
O wind of the west, we wait for you!

Blow, blow! I have wooed you so,
But never a favour you bestow.
You rock your cradle the hills between,
But scorn to notice my white lateen.

Be strong, O paddle! Be brave, canoe!
The reckless waves you must plunge into.
Reel, reel,
On your trembling keel,
But never a fear my craft will feel.

We’ve raced the rapids; we are far ahead:
The river slips through its silent bed.
Sway, sway,
As the bubbles spray
And fall in tinkling tunes away.

And up on the hills against the sky,
A fir tree rocking its lullaby
Swings, swings,
Its emerald wings,
Swelling the song that my paddle sings.

Ô vent d’ouest, souffle de ton nid dans les prairies,
des montagnes, de l’ouest.
La voile est désœuvrée, le marin aussi.
Ô vent d’ouest, nous t’attendons!

Souffle, souffle vers nous,
hélas, tu ne nous entends pas.
Tu berces ton couffin entre les collines,
mais tu méprises ma voile latine.

Sois forte, ma pagaie! Canoë, du nerf!
Vous devez vous plonger dans de vagues dangereuses.
Tourne, tourne la manivelle
Pour remonter la voile sur ta quille tremblante,
Cher navire, tu n’auras jamais rien à craindre.

Nous avons franchi les rapides
et parcouru de loin notre chemin.
La rivière s’écoule sur son lit silencieux.
D’un bord et de l’autre, les bulles s’éclaboussent
et tintent des mélodies qui disparaissent.

Et sur la colline sous le ciel,
un sapin au rythme d’une berceuse,
d’un côté vers l’autre,
il bat de ses ailes d’émeraude,
sonnant ainsi la chanson de ma pagaie.

credits

from Seasons of Life and Landscape, released October 25, 2019
Conducted by / Dirigé par Joel Tranquilla

license

all rights reserved

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Canadian Chamber Choir

The Canadian Chamber Choir is a 24-voice professional choral ensemble made up of singers from Newfoundland to British Columbia. Since 1999, we have been ardent champions of Canadian choral music, and almost exclusively perform repertoire by Canadian composers. ... more

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