Surge amica mea
surge propera amica mea
formosa mea
et veni
iam enim hiems transiit
imber abiit et recessit
flores apparuerunt in terra
tempus putationis advenit
vox turturis audita est in terra nostra
ficus protulit grossos suos
vineae florentes dederunt odorem
surge propera amica mea
formosa mea
et veni!
rise up my love
my fair one
and come away.
for lo the winter is past
the rain is over and gone
flowers appear on the earth
the time of pruning has come
the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
the fig tree puts forth her green shoots
the blossoming vines give a lovely fragrance
rise up my love
my fair one
and come away!
-Song of Songs: 2:10b-13
I have imagined this familiar text from Song of Songs as having an almost naive, joyful energy, and a tone of urgency, pleading and even cajoling. Here is the lover imploring the beloved, yanking at the covers, saying, Come on get up, it's gorgeous outside! Let's go! Travel support for the composer to attend the premiere concerts in San Francisco and Santa Clara in May 2013 provided by the Canada Council for the Arts