Hermit Songs, op. 29 (1953), no. 4
Composer: Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
Baritone: Gerald Finley
Piano: Julius Drake
The Heavenly Banquet
I would like to have the men of Heaven in my own house;
with vats of good cheer laid out for them.
I would like to have the three Mary’s,
their fame is so great.
I would like people from every corner of Heaven.
I would like them to be cheerful in their drinking.
I would like to have Jesus sitting here among them.
I would like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings.
I would like to be watching Heaven’s family
Drinking it through all eternity.
Verses attributed to St Brigid (10th century), translation by Seán Ó Faoláin
[...] Samuel Barber has composed one of his Hermit Songs, Op 26, on poetry attributed to St. Brigid, which I will post separately (see HERE). [...]
By: 1 February – Feast of St Brigid of Kildare « Persona on 2 February 2013
at 10:59 pm