From the recording Choral
The genesis of the piece came to me whilst cycling down Pembroke Street during my
studies at the University of Cambridge, long before I decided to set e.e.cummings’ sublime
prose.
Death, the garden in which he writes being the passage of time, of life. a resting place.
Originally written as the final movement of a larger choral cycle and inspired by the King’s
fellows’ garden at King’s College, and the garden of Dr Sarah Upjohn —whose garden
offered much respite during my COVID quarantine before Michaelmas term.
Performed by the NEC Chamber Singers
Conducted by Erica Washburn
Robert Moorman, tenor
Lyrics
this is the garden
-e.e.cummings-
from this is the garden, colors come and go
published in Tulips & Chimneys (1922)
this is the garden: colours come and go,
frail azures fluttering from night's outer wing
strong silent greens serenely lingering,
absolute lights like baths of golden snow.
This is the garden: pursed lips do blow
upon cool flutes within wide glooms, and sing
(of harps celestial to the quivering string)
invisible faces hauntingly and slow.
This is the garden. Time shall surely reap
and on Death's blade lie many a flower curled,
in other lands where other songs be sung;
yet stand They here enraptured, as among
the slow deep trees perpetual of sleep
some silver-fingered fountain steals the world.