Rose print

Although I've been in amateur choirs all my life, I really learned to sing at a capella workshops given by The Western Wind. Along with Bach, Brahms, Monteverdi, Gesualdo, Frank Zappa, vocal jazz, and everything in between, we found moments of calm learning the joyful and meditative songs of 16th century American composer William Billings. One of my favorites was this setting from Song of Songs, some the best music about love I've ever heard: Text: Song of Songs 2:1-11 Translation (as used in the Billings version):I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley;I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley;As the lily among the thorns, so is my love among the daughters,As the apple tree, the apple tree among the trees of the wood,so is my beloved among the sons, so is my beloved among the sons.I sat down under his shadow with great delight,And his fruit was sweet to my taste;And his fruit, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.He brought me to the banqueting houseHis banner ov