Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep for TTBB Chorus and Piano

For Men's Chorus TTBB and Piano
Text by Mary Frye, Music by Janet Lanier
Performance time - 4:45

Price:  $3.00 per vocal/piano copy
(click on "add to cart" below)

Commissioned by the Amarillo High School Bel Canto Chorale Men directed by Susan Hinrichs for the 2008 Honor Choir Performance at the Texas Music Educator's Association Convention (TMEA) in San Antonio, TX. Composed in honor of those who gave their lives for our freedom and in memory of S/Sgt Andrew Caine Perkins, AHS Class of 1998, KIA March 5, 2007, Samarra, Iraq.

The text is freely based on a poem by Mary Frye, a Baltimore homemaker, who wrote this, her first poem, in 1932 to console her friend Margaret who was grieving the death of her mother. Margaret cried that she was not able to visit her mother's grave to say goodbye because she died in Germany during Hitler's powerful reign. The poem came to Mary while she was checking off a list of groceries so she gave it to Margaret written on a torn grocery sack.

DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND WEEP 
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there.  I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints of snow.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.  I did not die.

After the performance of this piece by the New Jersey based choral ensemble, Schola Cantorum on Hudson, on March 19th and 20th, 2011, the Marketing and Communication Director, Jack Whyte wrote this:
"I just wanted you to know that your piece tonight was GORGEOUS, as was the entire concert. Just gorgeous - and the performance was terrific. Your piece was so moving I had to use all my control to keep from completely falling apart, and Deborah [King] placed it beautifully into the theme of the concert. so thank you for writing this beautiful works, and I can't wait to hear it again tomorrow."  Jack Whyte, Director of Marketing and Communication, Schola Cantorum on Hudson
 

 Watch the video of the Amarillo High Bel Canto Men performing this piece at the First Baptist Church of Amarillo

 Click here Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep at TMEA to listen to the Amarillo High Bel Canto Men singing this piece at TMEA

 Click here Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep Amarillo Master Chorale to listen to the recording of the Amarillo Master Chorale men's section singing this piece

Please note that I use the honor system here.  Because this is a digital download, you are permitted to print off only the number of copies you have purchased. You may use the invoice for your records to indicate you have purchased the music and copied them with permission.

If you wish to purchase numerous copies and have them printed for you, please contact me through my Contact Page so that I can tell you the cost of printing, shipping and handling.