Beauty of Your Dreams, The

Poet/Lyricist: 

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)

— from the DARE TO BE POWERFUL choral series —

Adapted by the composer from inspiring quotes and excerpts of writings by Eleanor Roosevelt, “The Beauty of Your Dreams” is an ode to personal courage. Beginning in reverent tones, ER's personal prayer as First Lady then flows into powerful,confident melodic strides. The angular upward melodic treatment of the words, “you must do the thing you think you cannot do“ serves as a ritornello that holds the rather large arc of the composition together. Commissioned by the Indianapolis Women's Chorus(2003) this work is a showcase for women's chorus.

Level: 

Moderate
Item Voicing/Instrumentation Duration Price Audio View Score Quantity
SBMP 564 SSAA, piano 5:00 $2.50 https://joanszymko.com/sites/joanszymko.com/files/audio_samples/The%20Beauty%20of%20Your%20Dreams.mp3 Santa Barbara Music Press
Publisher Link

Publisher: 

SBMP
Text

The Beauty of Your Dreams

I will make a prayer. 
I will make a prayer to ask what I can do,

I will make a prayer to ask for courage
to follow the light as it is given to me.


You gain courage and strength
every time you look fear in the face.

You gain strength you gain courage and strength,

You gain courage and confidence
every time that you are forced to look fear in the face.


You must do the thing you think you cannot do.


Life must be lived!

Cast out fear, we must cast out fear
and face the unknown,

Face the unknown with courage and integrity
and a high heart.

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.


Believe in your dreams,
Believe in the beauty of your dreams

The future belongs to those who dream,

To those who do believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Text used by permission of the estate of Eleanor Roosevelt, Nancy Roosevelt Ireland, daighter of Franklin D. Roosevelt,Jr., literary executor.

Reviews: 

Selected for the 2011 ACDA National Conference Womens Choir Reading Session

Video
"The Beauty of Your Dreams " Vox Femina Los Angeles

VOX Femina Los Angeles performs The Beauty of Your Dreams by Joan Szymko

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