Eagle Rounding Out the Morning

Poet/Lyricist: 

Joy Harjo (b.1951)

Spacious, sweeping and energetic—this reverent setting of Native American poet Joy Harjo's "Eagle Poem" is perfect for mature high school or adult women's chorus. Commissioned by the Grand Rapids Women's Chorus, “Eagle" was given its premiere at the Tapestry International Festival of Choirs in Vancouver, B.C. In 2012.

Level: 

Moderate
Item Voicing/Instrumentation Duration Price Audio View Score Quantity
JS-028D
Licensed PDF
SSAA, piano 5:00 $2.25
JS-028 digital purchase only N/A https://joanszymko.com/sites/joanszymko.com/files/audio_samples/JS-028%20.mp3

Audio Credits: 

Portland State University Women's Choir (Vox Femina), Joan Szymko, director

Publisher: 

Joan Szymko
Text

Eagle Poem

To pray you open your whole self

To sky, to earth, to sun, to moon

To one whole voice that is you.

And know there is more

That you can’t see, can’t hear;

Can’t know except in moments

Steadly growing, and in languages

That aren’t always sound but other

Circles of motion.

Like eagle that Sunday morning

Over Salt River. Circled in blue sky

In wind, swept our hearts clean

With sacred wings.

We see you, see ourselves and know

That we must take the utmost care

And kindness in all things.

Breathe in, knowing we are made of

All this, and breathe, knowing

We are truly blessed because we

Were born, and die soon within a

True circle of motion,

Like eagle rounding out the morning

Inside us.

We pray that it will be done

In beauty.

In beauty.

itemtext: 

Licensed PDF

Reviews: 

“It was by far our favorite piece this year! THANK you again for such a wonderful experience.....we were very proud to be presenting this work.” — Lori Tennenhouse, Director Grand Rapids Womens Chorus