Shop for Music
About the Composer
Isaac Lovdahl
Cantus
when I was just a boy
An intimate personal narrative of loss, healing, and growth, set against varying musical textures and lush harmonies.
TTBB a cappella
This four-part TTBB score presents an extended solo opportunity for an exceptional tenor voice. Paired with a deeply personal text by the composer, the diverse musical textures and lush harmonies tell a story that will impact performers and listeners alike. The message is simple, yet profound: You can be your own hero – the person that you needed when you were young.
Composer’s Notes
when I was just a boy is the most deeply personal piece I have ever written. Unfortunately, like so many other children, my father was not present in any kind of meaningful way during my formative years. So many of us carry the burden of having to break the cycle of absence and abuse. It is my sincerest hope that this music might have a meaningful impact on others who have had similar experiences. To achieve this goal, the piece must be sung with the deep earnestness of your inner child. The tempo should not be strict – it can surge ahead and relax at the discretion of the performers/director. The tenor soloist is encouraged to step forward from the ensemble when they sing, ensuring that they are heard prominently over the ensemble. May all who encounter this music, from the audience or the ensemble, find strength, hope, and healing.
-Isaac Lovdahl
Text
When my father said he was leaving,
I ran with my sister to the brook
behind our grandparents’ house.
We held each other as we wept,
innocence spilling from our tiny eyes.
She went back before me
to be with our mother.
I stayed a while longer and sat
in the silence of my final childish moments.
Who would teach me to be strong?
Who would share their wisdom?
Who would pick me up when I fall down?
I will build my own refuge.
I will seek my own teachers.
I will be my own hero.
I will be the man that I needed
when I was just a boy.
-Isaac Lovdahl
$2.50 per licensed PDF
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.