Sorrowing of Winds

In Clark Ashton Smith’s poem, the winds pass uncomforted through the peacefulness of spring, and every bough and leaf takes up their mourning as they go. The poet hears his own unrest in them, and finds no peace until their strange sorrowing has faded into the purple distance.

Unhurried at a quarter note of 60, the four voices move largely together, so the words stay clear while the sound gathers and recedes like wind passing through trees. There are two verses, and the piece lasts about two and a half minutes. It is written for amateur choirs and sung a cappella; the piano part in the score is for rehearsal only.