for Christina Adams, mezzo-soprano

for mezzo soprano and piano

poetry by Edna St. Vincent Millay

duration: 3’30”

Lament

by Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950)

Listen, children:

Your father is dead.

From his old coats

I'll make you little jackets;

I'll make you little trousers

From his old pants.

There'll be in his pockets

Things he used to put there,

Keys and pennies

Covered with tobacco;

Dan shall have the pennies

To save in his bank;

Anne shall have the keys

To make a pretty noise with.

Life must go on,

And the dead be forgotten;

Life must go on,

!ough good men die;

Anne, eat your breakfast;

Dan, take your medicine;

Life must go on;

I forget just why.