Echo

About the Piece

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)

"My choir group and I - I am a member of the group, not the director- have been working on this piece for a few months now, and it never fails to impress. Though it may seem intimidating by its size, Light my Light is easy to break into sections- divide and conquer. Each part tells its own story and together makes a wonderful work of art. The intricate harmonies, the constant time signature changes, and the simple yet complex lines make this SSA piece truly magical. My one dream is for my choir group to perform for Mr. Koppin- whether we nail the piece or not. I know we will never be able to fully perform the piece as the composer would've loved, but we are determined to do our best and give this piece the justice it deserves. Overall, Light my Light is a choir piece you would do with a more advanced choir because of its complexity and the fact that it is very time-consuming. If you do end up purchasing this piece, I wish you the best of luck, and I promise you will not be disappointed. "

review by: an Illinois Choir Kid, Naperville, Illinois - Hill Middle School's Women's Chorus

From Santa Barbara Music Publishing

The Text

Light, my light, the world-filling light,
the eye-kissing light,
heart-sweetening light!
Ah, the light dances, my darling, at the center of my life;
the light strikes, my darling, the chords of my love;
the sky opens, the wind runs wild, laughter
passes over the earth.
The butterflies spread their sails on the sea of light.

Lilies and jasmines surge up on the crest of the waves of light.
The light is shattered into gold on every cloud, my darling,
and it scatters gems in profusion.
Mirth spreads from leaf to leaf, my darling,
and gladness without measure.
The heaven's river has drowned its banks
and the flood of joy is abroad.