Description
The Burning Babe by James M. Stephenson
For SATB choir
Duration: 4′
One of three works that were commissioned in 1997, in loving memory of John R. “Jack” Larson. Written for and premiered by the Choir of Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church, Naples, Florida – Stephen L. Furches Organist/Choirmaster. Advent of 1997
The Burning Babe – poem by Robert Southwell
As I in hoary winter’s night stood shiv’ring in the snow,
Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow;
And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near,
A pretty babe all burning bright, did in the air appear;
Who, scorched with excessive heat, such floods of tears did shed
As though his floods should quench his flames, with which his tears were fed
‘Alas!’quoth he, ‘but newly born, in fiery heats I fry,
Yet none approach to warm their hearts or feel my fire but I!
My faultless breast the furnace is, the fuel wounding thorns,
Love is the fire, and sighs the smoke, the ashes shames and scorns;
The fuel justice layeth on and mercy blows the coals,
The metal in this furnace wrought are men’s defiled souls,
For which, as now on fire I am to work them to their good,
So will I melt into a bath, to wash them in my blood.
With this he vanished out of sight, and swiftly shrunk away,
And straight I called unto mind that it was Christmas Day.
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