From the recording 2008 FVA District MPA

This is the premier performance of this piece by Z. Randall Stroope at the 2008 FVA District MPA. The piece was commissioned by the Cypress Lake Center for the Arts Vocal Department in the winter of 2007 to honor the memory of the three fathers that passed away during a 6 week span in the fall of 2007.

Dr. Stroope graciously accepted our commission and then made the piece even more special by using text from his own father who had lost both of his parents when he was a small child.

During the fall of 2007, three members of the Cypress Lake Center for the Arts Vocal Department lost their fathers. All three men were full of spirit and humor and lived life to the fullest. Robert Watt, the father of senior Cheyanne Watt, lost his three month battle with brain cancer on August 29th. Rob Watt was a fun-loving man who was a friend to everyone that ever met him. On October 4th, John Kelley, father of junior Breanna Kelley, was vacationing with family in Hawaii and passed away after receiving an incorrect prescription from his doctor. John Kelley was an adventurous soul who visited all 50 states and never missed an opportunity to share his latest joke. Kenneth Dozier, the father of sophomore Kendra Dozier, suffered a stroke at work on November 12th. Kenneth Dozier had a child-like love for life and always played like one of the kids.

This has been a powerfully emotional time for these students and their families. In order to help process our deep sense of loss, we commissioned this piece inspired by our desire to celebrate and honor the lives of these fathers. We hope you will help us transcend our sorrow while we observe the spirit of humanity in this music.

The text of the piece:
Inside the doorway, fleeting mem'ries burn,
And fragile silence speaks at ev'ry turn
Remember me as I remember you
The muted laughter that our eyes once knew,
Out of his strength I now have life,
Out of his tears I now have joy,
And out of his soul I now see God,
Heart sing softly, softly to me

May nothing harm dissuade the journey's end,
To silent fields where frost has never been
There midnight and noon flow in a sea of light
Drenched by the spray of wisdom and delight.
Out of his strength I now have life,
Out of his tears I now have joy,
And out of his soul I now see God,
Heart sing softly, softly to me.

Heaven fills my lamp with oil
And lights a window of my sould.
Cling to my fire in silence or storm.
And let my heart once more
If only for awhile
Walk the same bright earth with him,
Ev'ning beguile
Out of this strenth I now have life,
Out of his tears I now have joy.
Out of his soul I now see God
Heart, sing softly
Heart, sing softly
Softly to me.

The accompanist for this piece was senior Danielle Barnes.