Music

Music for Song of Solomon / Song of Songs

Here are a few samples of my music for the "Song of Solomon" (also known as the "Song of Songs", Shir ha-Shirim, שיר השירים, and the Canticle of Canticles). These selections are from the 1995 translation by Ariel and Chana Bloch. I've been experimenting with different arrangement---trying to give it a more symphonic feeling. The electronic voices will eventually be replaced with real voices and words. The a cappella versions in section two have been completely revised; however, some of them still need a female vocalist.

If you would like to help with this project (constructive criticism, musical expertise, encouragement, or financial assistance) email: music@songofsongs.com

Thanks. I hope you enjoy the music.... T.C.

Using the Media Player

Activate the Yahoo! media player by clicking one of the little > arrows to the left of the Song titles. The player will open and play the songs in order, beginning with the first song that you click. After the player scrolls out (bottom left) you can also choose from the popup playlist. Alternatively you can click on the song title itself and choose your own preferred player.

The first song, "Morning Star," is the only one with both instrumental and vocal tracks. This song is meant to be quiet and mysterious, full of awe and wonder. Imagine the young man watching his lover as she awakens in the morning twilight. There are still stars overhead, and Venus, the "morning star," is visible on the horizon.

Morning Star (Voice and Instrument)

Who is that rising like the morning star,
clear as the moon,
bright as the blazing sun,
daunting as the stars in their courses !

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 6:10

Apricot Tree (Instrumental)

There, beneath the apricot tree,
your mother conceived you,
there you were born.
In that very place, I awakened you.

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 8:5

Kiss Me (Instrumental)

Kiss me, make me drunk with your kisses!
Your sweet loving
is better than wine.

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 1:2

Myrrh and Aloes (Instrumental)

You are fragrant,
you are myrrh and aloes.
All the young women want you.

Take me by the hand, let's run together !

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 1:3-4

Awake (Instrumental)

Awake, north wind! O south wind, come,
breathe upon my garden,
let its spices stream out.
Let my lover come into his garden
and taste its delicious fruit.

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 4:16

Early (Instrumental)

Let's go early to the vineyards
to see if the vine has budded,
if the blossoms have opened
and the pomegranate is in flower.

There I will give you my love.

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 7:13

In all the work that I've done on this translation, I've made only a few small changes to the text. For the sake of melody and dramatic impact, the first two phrases in Song 1 : 5 have been switched around. The original reads: I am dark, daughters of Jerusalem, and I am beautiful !

Dark Beauty (Instrumental)

Daughters of Jerusalem,
I am dark, and I am beautiful !
Dark as the tents of Kedar, lavish
as Solomon's tapestries.

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 1:5

The following passages were sung a cappella.

The a cappella versions in this section have been completely revised; however, some of them still need a female vocalist. Make a donation and speed the process.

If you don't already have one, you can get the free RealAudio player at www.real.com

Kiss Me (Female vocalist needed)

Kiss me, make me drunk with your kisses!
Your sweet loving
is better than wine

--- MUSIC : "SONG OF SOLOMON" 1:2
28K | 56K | DSL / Cable

Morning Star

Who is that rising like the morning star,
clear as the moon,
bright as the blazing sun,
daunting as the stars in their courses

--- MUSIC : "SONG OF SOLOMON" 6:10
28K | 56K | DSL / Cable

Awake (Female vocalist needed)

Awake, north wind! O south wind, come,
breathe upon my garden,
let its spices stream out.
Let my lover come into his garden
and taste its delicious fruit

--- MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 4:16
28K | 56K | DSL / Cable

I Have Come Into My Garden

I have come into my garden,
my sister, my bride,
I have gathered my myrrh and my spices,
I have eaten from the honeycomb,
I have drunk the milk and the wine.

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 5:1
28K | 56K | DSL / Cable

Early (Female vocalist needed)

Let us go early to the vineyards
to see if the vine has budded,
if the blossoms have opened
and the pomegranate is in flower,

There I will give you my love.

The air is filled with the scent of mandrakes
and at our doors
rare fruit of every kind, my love,
I have stored away for you

--- MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 7:13
28K | 56K | DSL / Cable

Before Day Breathes

Before day breathes,
before the shadows of night are gone,
I will hurry to the mountain of myrrh,
the hill of frankincence

--- MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 4:6
28K | 56K | DSL / Cable

I Dreamed of You

My love, I dreamed of you
as a mare, my very own
among Pharaoh's chariots.

--- MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 1:9
28K | 56K | DSL / Cable

Walnut Grove

Then I went down to the walnut grove
to see the new green by the brook,
to see if the vine had budded,
if the pomegranate trees were in flower.

And oh! before I was aware,
she sat me in the most lavish of chariots.

--- MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 6:11
28K | 56K | DSL / Cable

Apricot Tree (Female vocalist needed)

There, beneath the apricot tree,
your mother conceived you,
there you were born.
In that very place, I awakened you.

--- MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 8:5
28K | 56K | DSL / Cable

Fountain (Female vocalist needed)

You are a fountain in the garden,
a well of living waters,
that stream from Lebanon.

--- MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 4:15
28K | 56K | DSL / Cable

Myrrh and Aloes (Female vocalist needed)

You are fragrant
You are myrrh and aloes
All the young women want you.

Take me by the hand, let us run together!

--- MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 1:3
28K | 56K | DSL / Cable

Also see:

Homepage

Two Love Stories:
Stewardship, Deep Ecology, And The Song Of Songs

EarthCare: Links To Environmental Sites

Help us to continue with this project and keep it online.
Your contribution will make it possible to add vocals
to the new instrumental passages.

Use PayPal or your credit card to make a donation.

email: music@songofsongs.com