1977
To-Morrow
Composed by
Frank Lewin
Frank Lewin Text by
Edwin Arlington Robinson
Edwin Arlington Robinson Variations of Greek Themes Song Collection
"To-Morrow" is the fifth song in Frank Lewin's Variations of Greek Themes.
It follows the instrumental "Dance," which is built on four measures from a Greek folk song reiterated over a slowly shifting drone. As each instrument takes up the phrase, it modifies the scale in a slightly different way. The characteristic 7/8, in which the dance starts, gradually disintegrates, and then contracts to 5/8. The dance music shrivels to a murmuring ostinato that becomes the backdrop to the voice in "To-Morrow."
Text
To-Morrow (Macedonius)
by Edwin Arlington Robinson
To-Morrow? Then your one word left is always now the same;t
And that’s a word that names a day that has no more a name.
To-morrow, I have learned at last, is all you have to give:t
The rest will be another’s now, as long as I may live.t
You will see me in the evening?—And what evening has there been,t
Since time began with women, but old age and wrinkled skin?
Audio
“To-Morrow” (from “Variations of Greek Themes”)
Elaine Valby (mezzo-soprano), Jayn Rosenfled (flute), Brett Deubner (viola), Elzabeth Panzer (harp) & Elizabeth De Felice (piano)1:25