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 ha-Shirim, שיר השירים, and the Canticle of Canticles). These selections are from the 1995 translation by Ariel and Chana Bloch. 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. 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: music@song-of-songs.net


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

 

This first passage, "Morning Star," is the only recent version with a vocal track. The tone of this passage is meant to be quiet and mysterious, full of awe and wonder. Imagine the young man watching his lover as she awakens in the early morning light. There are still stars overhead, and Venus, the "morning star," is visible on the horizon.

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
MP3 |

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
64Kbps MP3 | 128Kbps MP3 | MP3 |

Kiss Me

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

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 1:2
64Kbps MP3 | 128Kbps MP3 | MP3 |

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 !

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 1:3-4
64Kbps MP3 | 128Kbps MP3 | MP3 |

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
64Kbps MP3 | 128Kbps MP3 | MP3 |

Early

Let's 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.

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 7:13
64Kbps MP3 | 128Kbps MP3 | MP3 |

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.

MUSIC : SONG OF SOLOMON 1:5
64Kbps MP3 | 128Kbps MP3 | MP3 |


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 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


Please help me to continue with this project and keep it online.
Your contribution will make it possible to add vocals
to the new instrumental passages.

Please use PayPal or your credit card to make a donation.


email: music@song-of-songs.net
Lyrics from the new translation
by Ariel and Chana Bloch. Used with permission.

Music Copyright © Call 1998 - 2007