Song of the Day - 2nd November

Following on from the observance of All Saints' Day yesterday, November 2nd is All Souls' Day, also known as The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.

In the Catholic Church, "the faithful" refers to baptized Catholics, while "all souls" refers to those who find themselves in purgatory.

The Catholic Church holds the belief that the purification of souls in purgatory can be aided by the actions of the faithful living on earth. Those souls, who, upon leaving their bodies, are not entirely cleansed from venial sins or have yet to fully atone for their past mistakes, can receive assistance in reaching Heaven through prayers, alms, and compassionate deeds.

The poem I have chosen to set to music for this poignant day is by D. H. Lawrence. He beautifully describes the dead as in need of a "little ship and the proper store of meal for their longest journey," equating the traveling souls with brave mariners embarking on a significant voyage.

I found the music escaping from my grasp a bit, taking on an odd character in parts, which somehow feels fitting for this slightly unconventional poem. But if Britten’s totally barmy "Rejoice in the Lamb" can find its place in the world, perhaps my sense of oddness might just pale in comparison!

Get the music for this song for free - find out how here.

All Souls Day

By D. H. Lawrence

Be careful, then, and be gentle about death.

For it is hard to die,

it is difficult to go through the door,

even when it opens.

And the poor dead, when they have left

the walled and silvery city

of the now hopeless body

where are they to go, Oh where are they to go?

They linger in the shadow of the earth.

The earth’s long conical shadow is full of souls

that cannot find the way across the sea of change.

Be kind, Oh be kind to your dead

and give them a little encouragement

and help them to build their little ship of death

for the soul has a long, long journey after death

to the sweet home of pure oblivion.

Each needs a little ship, a little ship

and the proper store of meal for the longest journey.

Oh, from out of your heart

provide your dead once more, equip them

like departing mariners, lovingly.