This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Complaint
Staff Notation • Sacred, Set pieces
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · Barry Johnston
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Complaint by Daniel Read — Lyrics
And am I only born to die?
And must I suddenly comply
With nature's stern decree?
What after death for me remains:
Celestial joys or hellish pains,
To all eternity?
How then ought I on earth to live,
While God prolongs the kind reprieve,
And props the house of clay!
My sole concern, my single care,
To watch, and tremble, and prepare
Against the fatal day!
No room for mirth or trifling here,
For worldly hope, or worldly fear,
If life so soon is gone:
If now the Judge is at the door,
And all mankind must stand before
Th'inexorable throne!
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About Complaint
Daniel Read's Complaint is a poignant reflection on mortality, suitable for reflective moments in a sacred setting. Set for SATB choir, this English text contemplates the brevity of life and the eternal consequences of our actions. The lyrics grapple with the universal human fear of death and the unknown afterlife, posing profound questions about our existence and the ultimate judgment. The composer sets this challenging text with a musicality that underscores the solemnity and urgency of the message. It is a piece that invites introspection and spiritual preparation, urging listeners to consider their earthly sojourn in light of eternity. The music aims to convey the gravity of the theological questions raised, making it a powerful addition to a Lenten or contemplative service.
