Music for the Song of Solomon

Here are a few samples of my music for the Song of Solomon (also known as the Song of Songs, Shir HaShirim, and the Canticle of Canticles). These selections are from the new translation by Ariel and Chana Bloch (©1995). I've been experimenting with different arrangements... trying to give it a more symphonic feeling. The electronic voices will eventually be replaced with real voices and words.

The older samples ( in the second section ) were sung a cappella and saved in RealAudio format... which often does not play smoothly on the internet. New files are mp3. There are a few melodic differences between the old and new versions.

If you would like to help with this project ( constructive criticism, musical expertise, encouragement, or financial assistance )
email: tomas@song-of-songs.net

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

Apricot Tree

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

--- Play mp3 | MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 8:5

Kiss Me

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

--- Play mp3 | MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 1:2

Myrrh and Aloes

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

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

--- Play mp3 | MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 1:3-4

Awake

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.

--- Play mp3 | MUSIC : SONG OF Solomon4:16

Early

( Note: Let us has been contracted to Let's )

Let's Go Early
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.

--- Play mp3 | MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 7:13

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 !

--- Play mp3 | MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 6:10

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

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

--- Play mp3 | MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 1:5

The following passages were sung a cappella.

Tips for listening to RealAudio files...

Choose 28K, 56K, or DSL / Cable . A RealAudio player should appear and begin to load the music automatically. There is a volume slider on the player that may need to be turned up. Usually the song will play smoothly from beginning to end, but if it doesn't, try a slower transfer rate ( 28K instead of 56K, for example). You can also try restarting the song... or reconnecting to the internet... or come back later when web-traffic is not so heavy.

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

Kiss Me

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

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

Early

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

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

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

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

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