I conquer the world with words, conquer the mother tongue, verbs, nouns, syntax. I sweep away the beginning of things and with a new language that has the music of water the message of fire I light the coming age and stop time in your eyes and wipe away the line that separates time from this single moment.

–Text: Nizar Qabbani

from Fest-und Gedenksprüche, Op. 109, No. 1

In thee have our fathers hoped, they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them. They cried to thee, and they were saved, they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. The Lord will give strength to his people, the Lord will bless his people with peace.

–Text: Psalm 22 vv. 5-6; Psalm 29 v. 11

from Fest-und Gedenksprüche, Op. 109, No. 3

Where is so great a nation that has statutes and decrees that are as just as the Lord our God’s, whenever we call on him. However, take care and watch your soul, that you do not forget the stories, the things which your eyes have seen, that you do not let them depart from your heart all your life long. And teach them to your children and to your children’s children. Amen.

–Text: Deuteronomy 4:8,9

Commissioned for the memorial service of John F. Kennedy

Take him, earth, for cherishing, to thy tender breast receive him. Body of a man I bring thee, noble even in its ruin. Once was this a spirit’s dwelling, by the breath of God created. High the heart that here was beating, Christ the prince of all its living. Guard him well, the dead I give thee, not unmindful of his creature shall he ask it: he who made it symbol of his mystery. Comes the hour God hath appointed to fulfil the hope of men, then must thou, in very fashion, what I give, return again. Not though ancient time decaying wear away these bones to sand, ashes that a man might measure in the hollow of his hand: Not though wandering winds and idle, drifting through the empty sky, scatter dust was nerve and sinew, is it given to man to die. Once again the shining road leads to ample Paradise; open are the woods again, that the serpent lost for men Take, O take him, mighty leader, take again thy servant’s soul. Grave his name, and pour the fragrant balm upon the icy stone. Take him, earth, for cherishing, to thy tender breast receive him. Body of a man I bring thee, noble even in its ruin. By the breath of God created. Christ the prince of all its living. Take, O take him, Take him, earth, for cherishing.

–Text: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 4th century

Kwaejina Chingchingnane is a Korean folksong (harvest song) from the southeast region of Korea. The words of the song are light-hearted, fleeting impulses of happiness and contentment with the abundance of the seasons of the year and of life. The singer celebrates the promises of a new year, acknowledges the challenges of life, and expresses marvel at the bounty of harvest, rejoicing with a drum and invoking the idyllic name, “Baengno. “The refrain word “Chingching” is rather a sound effect, mimicking the sound of Kkwaeng-ga-ri, a small traditional gong in Korea.