Work

Programme Note

“Nurses’ Song” is the name of two related poems by English poet William Blake (1757-1827). While both speak of children playing outside watched by their Nurse, the first version published in 1789’s “Songs of Innocence”, is a positive view of play and innocence, with no hint of the things that night (or life) will bring. The second , and shorter, version published in 1794’s “Songs of Experience” shows the Nurse as someone who is bitter and jealous of the freedom of children’s play.

This setting was written for the inaugural SingDownunder choral festival in Auckland, as a piece for the combined treble-voice choirs to perform.

Text Note:

Text by William Blake

Commissioned:

Written for the inaugural SingDownunder choral festival (Auckland)

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Performance History

	31 Jul 2010	Performed by the massed choir of the SingDownunder choral festival at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland