canasg choral music publishing - The optimists' song

NW3016

The optimists' song

(Dum spiro spero)

words by Peter Hill

set to music by Sheena Phillips
for soprano, alto, tenor and bass chorus

SATB performance time approx 2m 00s

Composer's note

It may not be fashionable to be optimistic these days, but in case you get taken that way, try this song. The Latin words 'dum spiro spero' (literally 'as long as I breathe, I hope' - or 'while there's life, there's hope') run throughout the piece and the 'sp' sound adds a syncopated percussive effect. In the verses the upper voices should sound utterly joyful, the 'dum spiro spero' underneath becoming more of an accompaniment.

A recording by Rudsambee company of singers is available on their album bottled at source (RUBEECD003).

Music

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Hear a MIDI file of the song

Words

The optimists' song
(Dum spiro spero)

dum spiro spero ... [while I breathe, I hope]

While I live I'll hold on to
Dreams that I know can come true

Never waver, hold on tight
And everything will turn out right

This world can see peace and plenty,
The glass is half full not half empty

Truth and justice cannot fail,
Honesty and freedom will prevail

Peter Hill

Price

The price of this piece depends on the number of singers in your group. This is a single payment for a licence to make as many copies as you need for your group to rehearse and perform the song as often as you wish. Copies of the song must not be given, lent or sold to any other group.

Number of singers in your group
up to 12 singers	13 to 24 singers	25 singers or more
Ł5 (approx US$8.00)	Ł10 (approx US$16)	Ł15 (approx US$24)
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Companion pieces

Browse the 'contemporary music' 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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