I set two sonnets for baritone and cello:
You can hear a synthesizer performance (with viola standing in for the baritone) of Tenant here:
The Tenant
You can hear a synthesizer performance of the cello part of Tenant here:
The Tenant
You can hear a synthesizer performance (with viola standing in for the baritone) of Cross Purpose here:
Cross Purpose
You can view the score here:
TenantAndCrossPurpose-1up.pdfYou can print the score as a booklet on 11x17 paper from here:
TenantAndCrossPurpose-bklt11x17.pdf
MuseScore source files used to produce the scores above:
As long-time tenant to a wealthy Lord,
not thriving, I resolvèd to be bold
and make suit to the Owner to afford
a new, reduced-rent lease, and cancel th'old.
At Heaven's manor, thus, my Lord I sought:
They told me that my Lord was lately gone
about some land on Earth, so dearly bought
quite long ago, to take possession.
Returning, knowing of my Lord's great birth,
I searched accordingly in great resorts;
in cities, theaters, gardens, parks, and courts:
At length, I heard a ragged noise and mirth
of thieves and murd'rers: there my Lord I spied,
who said, "Your suit is granted," and then died.
At Heaven's manor's door I stood and knocked
to ask my Lord about this mystery.
I hoped my loving Lord would help me see
how, from my sin, my spirit is unlocked.
"My cross is where your condemnation ends,
so you can view your past without despair,
and, freed from Satan's sway, you can repair
relationships and start to make amends."
It seems I want to have a better past
with facts that are much less unsettling.
I want my Savior's precious blood to bring
me far from those regrets which hold me fast.
"My child," my Lord said, "that can never be.
Accept your past, and know you live with Me."