Mourning Scene

By Ned Rorem

Item Number: PE.EP6374

ISBN 9790300712475.

David's lament on the deaths of Saul and Jonathan (Baritone or Tenor and String Quartet)

The text is from The Book of Samuel (Chapter II Verses 19-27): The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumised triumph. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet with other delights, who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel. How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places, I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very kind hast thou been to me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!