Song of the Day - 11th February

Today's Song of the Day highlights a setting of another poem by Christina Rossetti, "Remember".

This sonnet is a heartfelt plea from the perspective of the dying for their loved one to remember them when they are gone, but not if it causes pain. The poem changes tone at the end with an assurance that it is "Better by far you should forget and smile / Than that you should remember and be sad."

The song begins with the melody being passed from part to part quasi-canonically, from bass to tenor, to alto and finally to soprano. It is gently lyrical, the music matching the tone of the poem. It would be ideal for use in either a religious or secular funeral service or memorial service as it makes no mention of any particular deity.

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

Remember

by Christina Rossetti

Remember me when I am gone away, 

   Gone far away into the silent land; 

   When you can no more hold me by the hand, 

Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. 

Remember me when no more day by day 

   You tell me of our future that you planned: 

   Only remember me; you understand 

It will be late to counsel then or pray. 

Yet if you should forget me for a while 

   And afterwards remember, do not grieve: 

   For if the darkness and corruption leave 

   A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, 

Better by far you should forget and smile 

   Than that you should remember and be sad.