I Will Not Die (AOV 1/73)

Tom Conroy has written a song that has performance choir written all over it. You can hear the original here – see what you think.  I’m not sure this is written for the pews, but it has interesting accidentals, triplets and 2/4 bars thrown in.  I love the horn that comes in towards the end of the second verse, but stick with it after the second chorus.  He throws in a round with the second element in harmony. It then fades out at the beginning of what my music says is a 34 bar waltz time coda.   …wow.

The text is a whole other matter and is so good that perhaps picking the bones out the flourishes and doing it as simply as possible is worth a go. I’m still trying to figure out if the songwriter is alternating male and female attributions for God or is slipping in some Marian references.

Verse 1

I will not die before I’ve lived to see that land;

Firm as the earth, God’s own promise.

I’ll not let go until I’ve held it in my hand;

That word of hope, and gentle laughter.

Verse 2

I will not rest until his dawn is in my eyes;

That fragile light, new like morning.

I will not sleep before I’ve wakened to that sunrise;

And all the world knows his glory.

Refrain

For his right hand has delivered us from death;

He has regarded our tears,

She who is goodness and grace.

Verse 3

And I will breathe in that mighty wind of justice;

I’ll know my name and rise up singing.

And I will call until my words bring on the thunder;

Washed in that rain, then I’ll know him.

Verse 4

He will stand up for the poor and the needy;

He’ll break the chains that bind God’s people.

For she is home for the lost and the desperate;

Her strong right hand goes before us.

Refrain

Verse 1 + harmony round (if you are game)

© TEAM Publications 1984.

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