canasg choral music publishing

SG1018

When day is done

Poem by Iain Crichton Smith (1928-1998)
Set to music by Michael Buck

SATB performance time approx 2m 00s

Composer's note

This is a setting of a beautiful poem by Iain Crichton Smith. I wrote the music shortly after he died and with him very much in mind. As it rises and falls in dynamic volume and melodic line, the piece should suggest the gentle rocking of an old chair. The sense of the words is paramount, and it should be sung as slowly as possible, with plenty of space between phrases.

Music

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Hear a MIDI file of the song

Words

When day is done

Sorrow remembers us when day is done.
It sits in its old chair gently rocking
and singing tenderly in the evening.
It welcomes us home again after the day.
It is so old in its black silken dress,
its stick beside it carved with legends.
It tells its stories over and over again.
After a while we have to stop listening.

Iain Crichton Smith

Thanks to Carcanet Press Limited for permission to use this poem. Anyone wishing to record or perform the music setting should also contact Carcanet for permission.

Price per copy Ł1.30 ($2.00)

Note: This price is for the first 20 licensed copies of the song, further copies cost only 25% of this price.

Companion pieces

Browse the Scots and Gaelic section of the Canasg catalogue for more songs like this one. To go there now, click on the 'catalogue' box to the right.

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When day is done

Composer's note

Music

Words

Companion pieces

Canasg Music