Thomas Tallis's beautiful 3rd Mode melody was the inspiration for this song...I came across it when I was learning the flute, and I'd had the chorus in mind for about 10 years before I wrote the full song. It's about the 4 seasons of love.
I wrote a second set of words to the tune - 'All things must pass', a paraphrase of
1 Corinthians 13, which is in the 'Sacred' section.
High Degree
In winter night and candlelight
This world is shrivelled small,
Yet warmth and cheer we manage here
Good health to people all.
And hearts, even mine, are filled with joy
And magnanimity
And heaven above knows he that I love
And hold in high degree.
Then spring discerns the year that turns
And grey skies fade to blue,
The sleeping seeds in hastening need
Burst forth to drink the dew.
And here with delight, the pale spring light
Clothes all in radiancy
And heaven above knows he that I love
And hold in high degree.
And slow but sure, the cold of yore
Makes way for summer sun.
And we will walk and fondly talk
Of how the year does run.
Then cool in the shade, sweet love be made
And we shall merry be
And heaven above knows he that I love
And hold in high degree.
Then we behold the purer gold
O'er autumn's harvest fields,
Through gleaming hours, the fruit and flowers
Swell bounteous to the yield.
And passing our days in honeyed haze
We shall true lovers be,
And heaven above knows he that I love
And hold in high degree.
