1994
‘Tis Not That Dying Hurts Us So
Composed by 
William Bolcom
William Bolcom Text by 
Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson Let Evening Come Song Collection
"'Tis Not That Dying Hurts Us So" is the second song of Bolcom's cycle Let Evening Come, which sets the poetry of Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson and Jane Kenyon for soprano, viola and piano.
The audio recordings of Let Evening Come are made possible through a collaboration between the Hampsong Foundation and SongFest. The performers are Laura Strickling, soprano, Laura Pearson, viola, and Liza Stepanova, piano, and the performance took place at SongFest 2012 at The Colburn School.
Text
‘Tis Not That Dying Hurts Us So
by Emily Dickinson
‘Tis not that Dying hurts us so —
‘Tis Living — hurts us more —
But Dying — is a different way —
A Kind behind the Door —
The Southern Custom — of the Bird —
That ere the Frosts are due —
Accepts a better Latitude —
We — are the Birds — that stay.
The Shrivers round Farmers’ doors —
For whose reluctant Crumb —
We stipulate — till pitying Snows
Persuade our Feathers Home.
Related Information
SongFest Website
songfest.usVideo
Audio
” ‘Tis Not That Dying Hurts Us So” (from “Let Evening Come”)
Laura Strickling (soprano), Laura Pearson (viola) & Liza Stepanova (piano)2:24
Sheet Music
Let Evening Come
William Bolcom
1. Ailey, Baldwin, Floyd, Killens, and Mayfield
2. 'Tis Not That Dying Hurts Us So
3. Let Evening Come
2. 'Tis Not That Dying Hurts Us So
3. Let Evening Come