SA + piano / SSA + piano
(optional flute, oboe, and strings)
Editor’s Choice & Basic Library, J.W. Pepper

NOTE FROM THE COMPOSER

This Holocaust text is a story survival, belief, and resilience, even in the most dire of circumstances. Inscription of Hope utilizes a folk tune and anonymous text in the first and last section (m. 13-29, 47-end). I wrote the text in the middle section (30-46). The narration is absolutely essential to include in the performance of this work. My preference is that the narration occurs during the music (starting at about the 3-second mark). But, of course, it could be read prior to the work commencing.

TEXT

I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining,
and I believe in love, even when there’s no one there.
And I believe in God, even when He is silent;
I believe through any trial, there is always a way.
But sometimes in this suff’ring and hopeless despair,
My heart cries for shelter, to know someone’s there.
But a voice rises within me saying hold on my child,
I’ll give you strength, I’ll give you hope,
Just stay a little while.