Official site of composer Andrea Clearfield. Biography, list of works with audio, score samples, reviews and program notes, photographs, upcoming performances.
Text: Mirabai Starr Scoring: SATB chorus, cello and piano Duration: 9 min. Premiere: February, 2020, Conspirare, Craig Hella Johnson, conductor, St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Austin, TX Commissioned by: Conspirare chorus, Austin Haller, pianist, Douglas Harvey, cellist, Craig Hella Johnson, conductor Published by: Angelfire Press, distributed by Black Tea Music. Contact Trudy Chan for score and parts or contact Andrea:
WATCH
NOTES AND TEXT
Prayer to the Shechinah is an honoring of the Divine Feminine, the Schechinah, who “blesses the face of every creature”. It is also a heart-felt plea for Her to “be with us now” as we navigate through difficult times.
Prayer to the Shechinah
Mirabai Starr
O Shechinah,
yours is the feminine face of the Holy,
(you are the dwelling, you are the indwelling)
the luminous moon who lights up the night
as we travel from captivity to liberation,
the pillar of fire who guides our way home
the cloud hovering over the mountain peaks,
living sign that the drought is almost over.
You are the Sabbath Bride, the Beloved.
You restore wholeness to our fragmented souls.
You infuse our lovemaking with honey.
You fill the cup of our hearts,
that tremble with longing,
with the wine of your answering love.
You are the song of our homecoming.
O Shechinah,
we are the vessel for your inflowing
Your radiance requires the clay of our being
(we are the vessel, we are your own body)
Your flame burns at the core of the earth.
You bless the head of every creature,
and kiss the tear-streaked face of humanity.
Be with us now
Prayer to the Shechinah
Text: Mirabai Starr
Scoring: SATB chorus, cello and piano
Duration: 9 min.
Premiere: February, 2020, Conspirare, Craig Hella Johnson, conductor, St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Austin, TX
Commissioned by: Conspirare chorus, Austin Haller, pianist, Douglas Harvey, cellist, Craig Hella Johnson, conductor
Published by: Angelfire Press, distributed by Black Tea Music. Contact Trudy Chan for score and parts or contact Andrea:
WATCH
NOTES AND TEXT
Prayer to the Shechinah is an honoring of the Divine Feminine, the Schechinah, who “blesses the face of every creature”. It is also a heart-felt plea for Her to “be with us now” as we navigate through difficult times.
Prayer to the Shechinah
Mirabai Starr
O Shechinah,
yours is the feminine face of the Holy,
(you are the dwelling, you are the indwelling)
the luminous moon who lights up the night
as we travel from captivity to liberation,
the pillar of fire who guides our way home
the cloud hovering over the mountain peaks,
living sign that the drought is almost over.
You are the Sabbath Bride, the Beloved.
You restore wholeness to our fragmented souls.
You infuse our lovemaking with honey.
You fill the cup of our hearts,
that tremble with longing,
with the wine of your answering love.
You are the song of our homecoming.
O Shechinah,
we are the vessel for your inflowing
Your radiance requires the clay of our being
(we are the vessel, we are your own body)
Your flame burns at the core of the earth.
You bless the head of every creature,
and kiss the tear-streaked face of humanity.
Be with us now
(As we navigate the landscape of mystery)
Be with us now…