The 22nd of November is the feast day of St. Cecilia, Christian Martyr and Patron Saint of music. A few years ago I was commissioned by JAC Redford the LA-based composer and orchestrater, to write an Ode to St. Cecilia for a new piece of music he has in turn been commissioned to write, which had its premiere in LA in 2013.
I published the Ode myself this year in my new collection Parable and Paradox and here, for this year’s St. Cecilia’s day is the text of my ode and a recording of my reading of it. In the recording I also talk a little about the inspiration and how it came to be written. I hope you enjoy it. Margot Krebs Neale has contributed the beautiful image which follows the poem As usual you can hear the poem by clicking on the title or the ‘play’ button.
You rested briefly here Cecilia
In this good ground, the Roman catacomb:
Its rounded vaults are rich with sudden sound
As pilgrims hymn you through the darkened air.
For you made music in your martyrdom,
Transposed the passion of your wedding night
To angel-given garlands, wreathed in light.
In all your three days dying you made room
For beautiful abundance, gifts and giving,
Your death was blessing and your passing praise,
As you gave way to grace,
Like music that still lives within its dying
And gives in giving place.
Cecilia, give way to grace again,
Transmute it into music for us all:
Music to stir and call the sleeping soul,
And set a counterpoint to all our pain,
To bless our senses in their very essence
And undergird our sorrow in good ground.
Music to summon undeserved abundance,
Unlooked for overbrimming, rich and strong,
The unexpected plenitude of sound
Becoming song.
Image by Margot Krebs Neale
Malcolm Guite 