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Brevis S.M.D.

By Aldo Thomas Ceresa

Key
C minor
Type
Fuging tune
Time signature
4
4
Composed
2007–09
Text
Isaac Watts, 1719

Listen to recordings


Description

The title of this tune comes from the reflections on the brevity of life illustrated in the text; as well as the short text meter, and the "short" fuge form that the song employs. This tune was performed by The Art Mob in their Winter, 2008 concerts. 


Text

Our days are as the grass,
Or like the morning flower;
If one sharp blast sweep o'er the field
It withers in an hour.

But thy compassions, Lord,
To endless years endure;
And children's children ever find
Thy words of promise sure.

His power subdues our sins;
And his forgiving love,
Far as the east is from the west,
Doth all our guilt remove.

High as the heavens are rais'd
Above the ground we tread,
So far the riches of his grace
Our highest thoughts exceed.