Canasg Choral Music Publishing

Canasg Music

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  NW3012 

 
Sweet sleep


words by William Blake (1757-1827)

from 'A Cradle Song'


set to music by Sheena Phillips

for five-part soprano and alto chorus (SSAAA) 


SATB  performance time approx  3m 00s











Composer's note



The words to this piece come from one of Blake's 'songs of innocence', many of which express great tenderness towards children.  In this setting, alto voices form a rocking underlay in 5/4, singing different fragments of the verses, while the soprano line arches above, alternately working with and pulling against the underlying rhythm.  The mother wishes sweet dreams on her happy child even though she herself, we find out at the end, is weeping - a hint of the bitter-sweet world which Blake often portrays.














 Music

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Hear a  MIDI  file of the song 








 Words 





Sweet sleep




Sweet dreams, form a shade

O'er my lovely infant's head;

Sweet dreams of pleasant streams

By happy, silent, moony beams.


Sweet sleep, with soft down

Weave thy brows an infant crown.

Sweet sleep, Angel mild,

Hover o'er my happy child.


Sweet smiles, in the night

Hover over my delight;

Sweet smiles, Mother's smiles,

All the livelong night beguiles.


Sweet moans, dovelike sighs,

Chase not slumber from thy eyes.

Sweet moans, sweeter smiles,

All the dovelike moans beguiles.


Sleep, sleep, happy child,

All creation slept and smil'd;

Sleep, sleep, happy sleep,

While o'er thee thy mother weep.


William Blake 


from  'A Cradle Song'












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 singers13 to 24 singers25 singers or more

£7 (approx US$10)



















£14 (approx US$20)



















£21 (approx US$30)



















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Companion pieces

Browse the 'New' 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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Canasg Choral Music Publishing 	


Canasg Music









16 Morningside Park Edinburgh Scotland EH10 5HB 

475 Walhalla Road Columbus Ohio OH 43202 
 










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Page updated by  Peter Hill January 2006