by James Joyce (1882 - 1941)
I intone the high anthem Matches original text
Language: English
I intone the high anthem, Partaking in their festival. Swing out, swing in, the night is dark, Magical hair, alive with glee, Winnowing spark after spark, Star after star, rapturously. Toss and toss, amazing arms; Witches, weave upon the floor Your subtle-woven web of charms... Some are comely and some are sour, Some are dark as wintry mould, Some are fair as a golden shower. To music liquid as a stream They move with dazzling symmetry; Their flashing limbs blend in a gleam Of luminous-swift harmony. They wear gold crescents on their heads, Hornèd and brilliant as the moon...
Composition:
- Set to music by Aribert Reimann (b. 1936), "I intone the high anthem", 1989, first performed 1991 [ baritone and piano ], from Shine and Dark, no. 5, Schott Music
Text Authorship:
- by James Joyce (1882 - 1941), no title, written 1901
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this page: Peter Schoene
This text was added to the website: 2012-05-23
Line count: 18
Word count: 99