More Love

More Love was written in 2006 as a gift for my wife when we were expecting our first child. Initially a song for solo voice and piano, the work was revised for choir and organ in 2007 for our son’s baptism at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where my wife was Director of Music. In 2010, upon receiving a commission from the Concord Chorale to create a companion piece to the Fauré Requiem, More Love became the cornerstone movement of Songs for the Journey—a collection of five songs that explore the universal themes of love, faith, and mortality. While the text for More Love is freely adapted from three different Shaker songs, the tunes of the original folk songs are not used. The positive, affirming message of More Love is always relevant, and makes it appropriate for a variety of performance settings throughout the year.

O we have found a lovely vine
in this valley blooming,
whose blossoms shoot and promise fruit
that’s beautiful and cheering.

Refrain
More love, the heavens are blessing.
More love, the angels are calling.
More love, more love.

It’s verdant branches spread so wide,
it shades the meek and lowly.
Its dazzling light does shine so bright
it truly fills the valley.

(Refrain)

We’ll plant it and sow it and everyday grow it.

(Refrain)

The angels are calling more love.