One of the pieces on our new CD, When Music Sounds, is A Hope Carol. This is a beautiful poem by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) set to music for the UUlations by Kenneth Seitz. Today, Rossetti's most well known works are In the Bleak Midwinter and Love Came Down at Christmas, both set to music and known as Christmas carols. During Rossetti's lifetime, she was most famous for her collection Goblin Market and Other Poems, which was published in 1862 and received widespread critical praise.
A Hope Carol – by Christina Rossetti
A night was near, a day was near;
Between a day and night
I heard sweet voices calling clear,
Calling me:
I heard a whirr of wing on wing,
But could not see the sight;
I long to see my birds that sing,--
I long to see.
Below the stars, beyond the moon,
Between the night and day,
I heard a rising falling tune
Calling me:
I long to see the pipes and strings
Whereon such minstrels play;
I long to see each face that sings,--
I long to see.
To-day or may be not to-day,
To-night or not to-night;
All voices that command or pray,
Calling me,
Shall kindle in my soul such fire,
And in my eyes such light,
That I shall see that heart's desire
I long to see.
Christina Rossetti's oldest brother, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, was a poet, illustrator, painter and translator and a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelites. Christina was the model for several of Dante's paintings and Dante illustrated some of Christina's poems. Here is Dante's portrait of Christina.