2015

I Want to Die While You Love Me

Composed by Rosephanye Powell

Miss Wheatley’s Garden Song Collection

One of Powell's most performed vocal selections, "I Want to Die While You Love Me" is dedicated to her husband, William. The Georgia Douglas Johnson poem describes the passion between one individual and their beloved. The two lovers wish to not see the end of the day, as the individual wishes to carry the love experienced on this day to her death. "I Want to Die While You Love Me" belongs to Rosephanye Powell's Miss Wheatley's Garden song collection.

Listen

“I Want to Die While You Love Me” (from “Miss Wheatley’s Garden”)
Bo Shimmin, tenor; Sara Chiesa, piano3:04

Rosephanye Powell

Composer

Georgia Douglas Johnson

Poet(s)/Writer(s)

2021

Date

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Location

This recording was made possible by a grant from the University of Michigan, as part of the "Black Composer Speaks" Project.

I Want to Die While You Love Me
Tyrese Byrd, tenor; Joshua Marzan, piano3:25

Rosephanye Powell

Composer

Georgia Douglas Johnson

Poet(s)/Writer(s)

2022

Date

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Location

This recording was part of a concert during the American Song Institute 2022, which took place on the campus of the University of Michigan.

Text

I want to die while you love me,
While yet you hold me fair,
While laughter lies upon my lips
And lights are in my hair.

I want to die while you love me,
And bear to that still bed,
Your kisses turbulent, unspent
To warm me when I’m dead.

I want to die while you love me
Oh, who would care to live
Till love has nothing more to ask
And nothing more to give?

I want to die while you love me
And never, never see
The glory of this perfect day
Grow dim or cease to be!

Sheet Music

Miss Wheatley’s Garden

Rosephanye Powell
Versions for High and Low
Purchase Information via Composer Website