All I Have To Bring Today

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Soprano, Alto, Piano, Violin — The song xa0"All I Have To Bring Today" is a setting of a poem by one of my favorite poets, Emily Dickinson (1830-1886). The words are as follows:It's all I have to bring today,This, and my heart beside,This and my heart, and all the fields,And all the meadows wide.Be sure you count, should I forget-Some one the sum could tell-This, and my heart, and all the beesWhich in the clover dwell.xa0I hope you will take time to learn about Emily Dickinson, and to think about what she is trying to express in this poem. As I spent time setting her words to music, many questions crossed my mind. Knowing that she was very shy, even reclusive, I wondered to whom she might offer the gifts that she mentions in the poem. I also noticed that most of the things that she wanted to give were clearly identified, like "the fields and the meadows wide".xa0 But what was she referring to when she offeredxa0"This"xa0along with her heart?xa0 It was surely something of great value to her. xa0Although Emily Dickinson is no longer here to answer our questions, by spending time with Emily's words, you can come to know her quite well. xa0And in knowing her, I trust that you will understand what she is trying to say to you...to all of us. May that knowledge bring heartfelt meaning to your performance of this song, as her words come to life again through you!I hope that this song brings peace toxa0yourxa0heart.xa0 "It's all I have to bring today, this, andxa0myxa0heart ....."xa0xa0xa0 Gray's setting of Emily Dickinson's beloved text reflects the simplicity of those "gifts" we share with others. Dickinson's heartfelt text is beautifully portrayed through Gray's compelling writing for treble choirs of all abilities. With optional violin accompaniment, All I have to Bring Today is not to be overlooked!

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