on a poem by Sister Grace José Capellas

This is the second collaboration between Sister Grace José Capellas and Frank DiGiacomo, the first being A Christmas Offering in 1976, also available on this website. The poem and music were written in joyful anticipation of the birth of Aaron Powers, born May 19, 1978 to Richard and Elizabeth Powers, close friends of Sister Grace José and the Composer. The live recording is also the first performance, by Christine Klemperer, accompanied by Frank DiGiacomo, at An Evening of Song by Frank DiGiacomo, May 18, 1979 at the Carrier Theater of the Mulroy Civic Center, Syracuse, New York.

 LYRICS
Hum (or o-oh)
Flowers, flowers for your coming here,
from a golden tree
tall and fair -
I will drop some in your cradle, and with the rest
I’ll weave a crown - no, not for you,
so small,
so new,
but for your mother’s hair.

Oh will you have your father’s hands
and will you also sing?

Hum (or oooh)
No matter. None of us can tell this thing
or think it through -
the heart-constricting joy,
sweet child,
that welcomes you.
Hum (or oooh)