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Gerald Cohen
Gerald Cohen Music
Adonai Ro’i Lo Echsar (Psalm 23) (SSA)
A moving and lyrical setting of Psalm 23 that gives comfort in times of loss, and is suitable for both liturgical and concert use.
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Adonai Ro’i Lo Echsar (Psalm 23)
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Adonai Ro’i Lo Echsar (Psalm 23)
SSA Chorus and Piano
Cohen’s most popular piece was written upon the loss of a dear friend, and its deep emotions have echoed for performers, listeners, and mourners over the years. Available in many voicings and instrumental accompaniments –please reach out to Graphite if you are interested.
Purchase includes a recording pronunciation guide.
Composer’s Notes
Adonai Ro’i was originally written, on the loss of a dear friend, as a solo a cappella melody. I am a cantor, and a dear friend and congregant died of cancer at the age of 42 in 1989. Her husband asked me to sing at her funeral, and I decided to write a setting of Psalm 23, which is traditionally sung at Jewish funerals and memorial services. This was indeed one of those cases of a piece of music just writing itself, in the course of perhaps 30 minutes, as I was filled with the emotions of my friend’s death.
As I started singing the piece at other services, I received a very strong response to it, and decided to make a piano accompaniment. This was published in 1995, and soon was used by cantors all over the country, as well as in churches and other services and concerts. It is a very curious thing for a composer: I write many pieces of music of all kinds, and it is hard to know exactly why one particular piece captures people’s emotions so strongly, but that is what happened with this particular piece.
After composing the piece for solo voice or unison chorus, I was soon commissioned by the Zamir Chorale of Boston to write a version for SATB chorus, and that version has also been widely performed, as well as a version for SSA chorus written for the Cantors Assembly. I have also arranged it for solo voice and orchestra, and chorus and orchestra; these versions have been performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the San Diego Symphony.
I am grateful that this piece has become a way for so many to express deep and delicate feelings. I hope that, if it is a piece that is meaningful to you, that you will feel free to contact me about your experience with it.
-Gerald Cohen
Text
Adonai ro’i, lo echsar,
binot deshe yarbitseini,
al mey m’nuchot y’nahaleini.
Nafshi y’shoveiv,
yancheini v’maglei tsedek,
l’maan sh’mo.
Gam ki eileych b’gei tsalmavet,
lo ira ra ki ata imadi,
shivt’cha umishantecha heima y’nachamuni.
Taaroch l’fanay shulchan neged tsor’ray,
dishanta vashemen roshi,
kosi r’vaya.
Ach tov vachesed yird’funi
kol y’mei chayai,
v’shavti b’veit Adonai l’orech yamim.
-Hebrew Bible, Psalm 23
TRANSLATION:
Adonai is my shepherd, I shall not want.
God gives me repose in green meadows,
God leads me beside the still waters.
God revives my spirit,
and guides me on the right path,
for that is God’s nature.
Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no harm, for You are with me,
Your staff and your rod comfort me.
You prepare a banquet for me in the presence of my foes,
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and kindness shall be my portion
all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the House of Adonai forever.
$3.00 per licensed PDF
