Description
Instrumental arrangement of my vocal setting of Litany to the Holy Spirit – poem by Robert Herrick.
Original poem:
In the hour
of my distress,
When temptations
me oppress,
And when I my
sins confess,
Sweet Spirit,
comfort me!
When I lie
within my bed,
Sick in heart
and sick in head,
And with doubts
discomforted,
Sweet Spirit,
comfort me!
When the house
doth sigh and weep,
And the world
is drown’d in sleep,
Yet mine eyes the
watch do keep,
Sweet Spirit,
comfort me!
When the passing
bell doth toll,
And the Furies
in a shoal
Come to fright
a parting soul,
Sweet Spirit,
comfort me!
When the tapers
now burn blue,
And the comforters
are few,
And that number
more than true,
Sweet Spirit,
comfort me!
When the priest his
last hath pray’d,
And I nod to
what is said,
‘Cause my speech
is now decay’d,
Sweet Spirit,
comfort me!
When, God knows,
I’m toss’d about
Either with
despair or doubt;
Yet before
the glass be out,
Sweet Spirit,
comfort me!
When the tempter
me pursu’th
With the sins
of all my youth,
And half damns
me with untruth,
Sweet Spirit,
comfort me!
When the flames
and hellish cries
Fright mine ears
and fright mine eyes,
And all terrors
me surprise,
Sweet Spirit,
comfort me!
When the Judgment
is reveal’d,
And that open’d
which was seal’d,
When to Thee
I have appeal’d,
Sweet Spirit,
comfort me!