THE SEALS

Poem ©1935 L.A.G. Strong (1896-1958)

Music and arrangement ©1995 Gordon Bok

 

The Quasimodal Chorus

 

Many of us coastal folks have been entertained by (and have entertained) the local seal populations. They do respond to human voices and some human instruments. Here the Chorus has helped me pass on the feeling that L.A.G. Strong’s poem captured so well.

 

Leave her alone, she is the island’s daughter

Sleek heads, dark heads are risen from the water

Leave her the company her songs have brought her

 

The old grey music doctors of the ocean

Their holy happy eyes shining devotion

Blow and applaud in foam and soft commotion

 

It is her hour; the island’s only daughter

The dark sleek heads are risen from the water

Leave her the company her songs have brought her

 

 

 

The Seals is recorded on the album Other Eyes