Halsey L.M.
By Aldo Thomas Ceresa
- Key
- E minor
- Type
- Set piece
- Time signature
- Multiple modes of time
- Composed
- 2006–07
- Text
- Isaac Watts, 1707
Description
Named for Halsey Street in Brooklyn, near the residence of Holly Laws, who suggested that I write a tune to this favorite text. Performed by the Art Mob in their Winter, 2007 concerts.
Text
Death, like an overflowing stream,
Sweeps us away; our life's a dream,
An empty tale, a morning flow'r,
Cut down and wither'd in an hour.
Our age to sev'nty years is set;
How short the time! how frail the state!
And if to eighty we arrive,
We'd rather sigh and groan than live.
Teach us, O Lord, how frail is man;
And lengthen out our mortal span,
Till a wise care of piety
Fit us to die, and dwell with thee.