Alec Roth (b. 1958) "Lost" from Shared Ground Lost in a world of dust and spray, We turn, we learn, we twist, we pray For word or tune or touch or ray: Some tune of hope, some word of grace, Some ray of joy to guide our race, Some touch of love to deuce our ace. In vain the ace seeks out its twin. The race is long, too short to win. The tune is out, the word not in. Our limbs, our hearts turn all to stone. Our spring, our step lose aim and tone. We are no more - and less than one. There is no soul in which to blend, No life to leave, no light to lend, No shape, no chance, no drift, no end.
Text (2007) by Vikram Seth (b. 1952)
J.S. Bach “Es erhub sich ein Streit,” BWV 19 1. Choral
1. Chorale
Es erhub sich ein Streit. Die rasende Schlange, der höllische Drache stürmt wider den Himmel mit wütender Rache. Aber Michael bezwingt, und die Schar, die ihn umringt stürzt des Satans Grausamkeit.
A battle was joined. The raging serpent, the hellish dragon storms against heaven with a vengeance. But St. Michael defeats him, and the surrounding heavenly host overthrow the cruelty of Satan.
Text: Reworking of Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) from verse 1 of his Michaelmas poem in Sammlung Erbaulicher Gedancken (Leipzig, 1724/25), based on Revelation 12:7-9
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