This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Falling leaves
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs
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Falling leaves by Rhys Thomas — Lyrics
The autumn leaves are falling fast,
And flutter to the chilly ground;
Trees stand as if in sad surprise,
No more with wealth of verdure crowned.
We feel that summer days are gone,
That hopes will fade in coming gloom,
That all we view is but a type
Of mortals hasting to the tomb!
Ah! could we look beneath the shell
That points yon twig so thin and bare,
We should behold a tender bud
Now swelling in its prison there.
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About Falling leaves
Rhys Thomas’s Falling Leaves is a secular SATB setting of an English text that moves from the poignant imagery of autumn’s decay to a profound message of hope and renewal. The music mirrors this journey, opening with a sense of gentle melancholy before blossoming into a more expansive and optimistic expression. The four vocal parts weave together to depict the falling leaves, the fleeting nature of life, and ultimately, the promise of a nobler rebirth. The composer uses the contrasting moods of the text to create a rich and varied musical experience, making this a reflective and uplifting choice for an unaccompanied choir.
