An original hymn with text by Mark Fotheringham below. Performed at the 2016 Alice Lloyd College convocation for Dr. D. Gene Pace.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/lvo3XVJrVrw
We come to the river for to drink from the stream.

We climb up the mountainside to reach for a dream.



We come to the forest for to blaze new trails

Reaching oceans, we unfurl sails.



And for our food and our raiment we will lightly care,

For learning and knowledge is our fare.



And every page which we study, every word we write

Leads closer to the truth and the right.



May each question be answered. May our vision be clear.

May we serve with conviction that our God's ever near.



May He ever sustain us as we follow His beam

Let us drink from the river and dream.

We'll mine every theory with the zeal of our youth,
Expose every error and reveal every truth.

The joy of discovery will feed our souls
As we master our heartfelt goals.

So many friends and companions met along our way
Will reach out in friendship, ne'er to stray.

And then ascending together, every day we'll find
A soul refreshed in heart and in mind.

May each question be answered. May our vision be clear.
May we serve with conviction that our God's ever near.

May He ever sustain us as we follow His beam
Let us drink from the river and dream.

Composed by Mikael Carlsson, lyrics by Sir William Shakespeare. Composition year: 2015. Secular.

An expressive three movement work for SATB choir with divisi and piano accompaniment exploring Shakespeare text s with a nocturnal setting. Beautiful harmony and forward movement leads the way of 'Over Hill, Over Dale' ('Midsummer Night's Dream'), ominous piano glissandi and misterioso chords dominate 'Heavily, Heavily' ('Much Ado About Nothing') and shimmering light and a dazzling ending with the effect of whistling and sea waves makes the final 'Night of Our Solemnities' ('Midsummer Night's Dream) particularly memorable.


1. Over Hill, Over Dale (Midsummer Night's Dream)

Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire.
I do wander everywhere
Swifter than the moon?s sphere.
And I serve the fairy queen
To dew her orbs upon the green.
The cowslips tall her pensioners be.
In their gold coats spots you see.
Those be rubies, fairy favors.
In those freckles live their savors.
I must go seek some dewdrops here
And hang a pearl in every cowslip?s ear.
Farewell, thou lob of spirits. I?ll be gone.
Our queen and all our elves come here anon.

2. Heavily, Heavily (Much Ado About Nothing)

Pardon, goddess of the night,
Those that slew thy virgin knight,
For the which with songs of woe
Round about her tomb they go.
Midnight, assist our moan.
Help us to sigh and groan
Heavily, heavily.
Graves, yawn and yield your dead,
Till death be utter�d,
Heavily, heavily.

3. Night of Our Solemnities (Midsummer Night's Dream)

Four days will quickly steep themselves in night.
Four nights will quickly dream away the time.
And then the moon, like to a silver bow
New bent in heaven, shall behold the night
Of our solemnities.

Choral score including piano part. 28 pages.
Total duration: 15:30.
Movement 1: 4:30
Movement 2: 5:00
Movement 3: 6:00

Suitable for concert programs concerning themes such as Shakespeare, night, evening, love, sorrow, evening, forgiving.

Discover more music by Mikael Carlsson at http://www.mikaelcarlsson.com