Sea-Snatch

"Sea-Snatch" is the sixth song of Samuel Barber's song cycle Hermit Songs. The cycle was composed in 1953 and published in 1954. The premiere was sung by soprano Leontyne Price.

The poem is a translation of a text by an anonymous Irish monk who lived sometime between the 8th and 13th centuries. The English translation used by Barber is by Kenneth Jackson.

Date: 1954Composer: Samuel BarberText: AnonymousSong Collection: Hermit Songs, Op. 29

Print vitals & song text

Text

Sea-Snatch

It has broken us, it has crushed us,
it has drowned us, O King of the starbright
Kingdom of Heaven!
The wind has consumed us, swallowed us,
as timber is devoured by crimson fire from Heaven.
It has broken us, it has crushed us,
it has drowned us, O King of the starbright Kingdom of Heaven!

Sheet Music

Samuel Barber: 65 Songs (G. Schirmer, high voice)

Composer(s): Samuel Barber

Voice Type: High

Buy via Hal Leonard

Samuel Barber: 65 Songs (G. Schirmer, medium-low voice)

Composer(s): Samuel Barber

Voice Type: Medium/Low

Buy via Music Sales Classical

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