The Metronome (Barbara Rosen)

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• (Posted 2023-03-16)  CPDL #73084:         

Editor: John Hetland (submitted 2023-03-16).   Score information: Letter, 9 pages, 2.19 MB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: The Metronome
Composer: Barbara Rosen
Lyricist: Barbara Rosen
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Art song

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 2020
Description: 

Original text and translations

English text

The metronome ticking atop my piano is never impatient and always correct.
But it isn't friendly: that thing it keeps wagging backwards, forwards isn't its tail.
Mindlessly clacking it pinpoints my failures, goads me and taunts me, challenges, dares.

There's peace in submitting, peace in conforming, safety in rocking a long with the beat.
Obedience comforts if I can do it, if I don't stumble, if I don't fall.

My friend the conductor is endlessly patient, exacting, loving; challenging, kind.
We joyfully follow, if we can do it, if we don't stumble, if we don't fall.

The metronome ticking atop my piano will never condemn me and never approve; it's empty of love.

My friend the conductor will love us whatever goes right or whatever goes wrong.
I make no apologies, need no excuses, dust myself off and try over again.

The metronome ticking atop my piano, mindlessly clacking, is always correct.
But one thing is lacking: it fails to protect.

The metronome ticking atop my piano...