texts mostly taken from the Song of Songs; first performed by Collegium Novum in 1989; duration: c.19'

This cantata was written between June and October 1988 for the composer's fiancée; they were married the following year and now have three children. The Songs are scored for eight solo voices which begin in two choirs of four voices (SATB). The words of the lovers (taken from the Song of Songs) are sung by the second alto and first bass.

There is an optional non-notated part for six tam-tams which has never been heard in performance.

I (Song of Songs 4:8-15) Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, come with me from Lebanon. Descend from the crest of Amana, from the top of Senir, the summit of Hermon, from the lions' den and the mountain haunts of the leopards. You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice! Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like that of Lebanon. You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain. Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, with henna and nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices: You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water, streaming down from Lebanon.

II O malleable Truth, Wilt thou frame a golden ring Of unanswerable splendour? That, inquisited by fire, Reveal no flaw to aid The assailment of thy heav'nly tower. Truth must be strong and Truth must be shamed upon an earthy Tree.

III (Song of Songs 5:2-8) I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My lover is knocking: 'Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.' I have taken off my robe - must I put it on again? I have washed my feet - must I soil them again? My lover thrust his hand through the latch opening; my heart began to pound for him. I arose to open for my lover, and my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with flowing myrrh on the handles of the lock. I opened for my lover, but my lover had left; he was gone. My heart sank at his departure. I looked for him but did not find him. I called him but he did not answer. The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. They beat me, they bruised me, they took away my cloak, those watchmen of the walls. O daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you - if you find my lover, what will you tell him? Tell him I am faint with love.

IV O tarnishable Love, Dost thou know thy silver veil Shines brightest with thy lover's fire? (Shines brightest with thy lover's fire?) Let not mere Time Dull thee but rejoice. Love must be pure and Love must be broken 'ere consum'd in eternity.

V (Song of Songs 4:16; 5:1) Awake north wind and come, south wind! Blow on my garden that its fragrance may spread abroad. Let my lover come into his garden and taste its choice fruits. I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice. I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey; I have drunk my wine and my milk.

VI O threefold music That thou dost make This union in perfectness True counterpoint and lovely harmonie Is more than my spirit can now bear And doth in adoration bow To God who of Himself did give That Man should, redeemed, as diamonds, sing across Jerusalem, when Truth and Love walk hand in hand.

VII (Song of Songs 8:6) Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.