composition / concert band / immortal dream
immortal dream
Medium: Concert Band
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Composed: September 2006
Duration: 4:00
Difficulty: Grade IV
Instrumentation:
| Piccolo Flute 1/2 Oboe Bassoon Bb Clarinet 1/2 Bb Bass Clarinet Alto Saxophone 1/2 Tenor Saxophone Baritone Saxophone |
Bb Trumpet 1 |
Timpani
Percussion 1 (bells)
Percussion 2 (vibraphone)
Percussion 3 (chimes)
Percussion 4 (suspended cymbal)
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Immortal Dream for Concert Band by Nathan Daughtrey
Download full mp3 recording
University of North Texas Concert Band
Nick Williams, conductor
notes
The title, Immortal Dream is taken from a verse of the traditional Irish ballad, “Old Skibereen.” This poignant song is full of tragedy and passion, describing the Irish famine of 1846-47, in which Skibereen was one of the most severely stricken regions and thousands of people perished. Written by a father to a son, the final three verses of the song had the greatest impact on me.
Old Skibereen
(last 3 verses)
Your mother too, God rest her soul,
Fell on the stony ground
She fainted in her anguish
Seeing desolation ‘round
She never rose but passed away
From life to immortal dream
She found a quiet grave, me boy,
In dear old Skibereen.
And you were only two years old
And feeble was your frame
I could not leave you with my friends
For you bore your father’s name
I wrapped you in my cóta mór
In the dead of night unseen
I heaved a sigh and bade goodbye
To dear old Skibereen.
Oh Father dear, the day will come
When in answer to the call
All Irish men of freedom stern
Will rally one and all
I’ll be the man to lead the band
Beneath the flag of green
And loud and clear we’ll raise the cheer,
Revenge for Skibereen!