There are a couple of lovely settings of related texts in *The Sacred Harp*,
an American shape-note book with a lot of Celtoid tunes. You should be able
to find the book in any library with a decent collection of American music,
or mail me back privately & we can figure something out.
Anyway, "Babel's Streams" by Stephen Jenks (late 18c/early 19c) is a
homophonic hymn setting. *Sacred Harp* 1991 ed. has it in 4 parts (p.126).
It should also be in the recently-released Jenks complete edition (A-R
editions' American series? check with your local music librarian). It's a
lovely modal tune (notated Aeolian, but SH singers usually sing it Dorian,
with sharped C's--even more haunting). The text (unattributed in SH 1991) is:
By Babel's streams we sat and wept,
While Zion we thought on;
Amidst thereof we hung our harps,
The willow trees upon.
With all the pow'r and skill I have,
I'll gently touch each string;
If I can reach the charming sound,
I'll tune my harp again. [!]
Another WONDERFUL setting is "Wood Street" by Chicago Sacred Harper Judy
Hauff (p.504 in SH 1991). It's a "fuging tune"--part have staggered
entrances at one point--but it's still probably easier on the harp than a
round. It's written Dorian. Judy's still very much alive, so you'd
probably want to get permission for performance or publication. The text,
attributed in SH 1991 to "Tate and Brady, 1696," is:
When we our wearied limbs to rest
Sat down by proud Euphrates' stream
We wept with doleful thoughts oppressed,
And Zion was our mournful theme.
Our harps that when with joy we sung
Were wont their tuneful parts to bear,
With silent strings neglected hung,
On willow trees that withered there.
For more Sacred Harp songs that mention harps, you might want to check the
online concordance on the "FASOLA Home Page"--I can't remember the URL, but
it's a unique enough name that it's easy to do a search.
Hope this helps & doesn't bore too much.....
Alix Baillie
University of Kentucky
abaillie@uky.campus.mci.net