A BURNT SHIP by John Donne SSATBar 1:30

A sharply dissonant setting of John Donne’s (1572-1631) terrifying six line poem, intended for all-male choir, difficult.  

Part of a series of war poems begun many years ago and recently resumed. While these pieces may be sung by mixed choirs,

the effect of boys and men is preferred by the composer.

 

“Out of a fired ship, which by no way 

But drowning, could be rescued from the flame,

Some men leaped forth, and ever as they came

Near the foe’s ships, did by their shot decay;

So all were lost, which in the ship were found,

They in the sea being burnt, they in the burnt ship drowned.”

 

Please have a look at my other works on my ChoralNet page, and visit my website: www.jamesjohnsonmusic.net

 

All my works are written into Sibelius, so professional scores are available.