PROGRAM NOTES
In his Intimations of Immortality, William Wordsworth refers to his early poem brimming over in exuberance for nature’s beauty, famously proclaiming “The Child is the father of the Man.” Now older, and too well-versed in mortality, he writes “To me the meanest flower that blows can give /Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.”

Change of Heart merges both sentiments in an evocative soundscape that combines a cello, harp, and organ with a baritone singer. A short instrumental prelude introduces “My Heart Leaps Up,” and an instrumental interlude marks the transition to “There Was A Time.”  

For the organist: My specific registrations should be taken only as suggestions. Please make every effort to not to overpower either baritone or the cello and harp.

TEXT (poetry by William Wordsworth)

 I.  Prelude [Instrumental]

II. My Heart Leaps Up

My heart leaps up when I behold 
   A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began; 
So is it now I am a man; 
So be it when I shall grow old, 
   Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.

III.  Interlude [Instrumental]

IV. There Was A Time
(from Intimations of Immortality)

There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream, 
The earth, and every common sight. 
To me did seem 
Apparell'd in celestial light, 
The glory and the freshness of a dream. 
It is not now as it has been of yore: — 
Turn wheresoe'er I may, 
By night or day. 
The things which I have seen I now can see no more!

The rainbow comes and goes, 
And lovely is the rose; 
Waters on a starry night…

The clouds that gather round the setting sun
Do take a sober coloring from an eye
That hath kept watch o'er man's mortality! 

Another race hath been and other palms are won.

Thanks to its tenderness, its joys and fears; 
To me the meanest flower that blows can give 
Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.