Listen to Canadian Chamber Choir in a live performance.

1. Intro: entre nos voix

Longue journée de misemaine, tout nous bouscule et nous entraine, mais dans le tumult, un espoir: pouvoir chanter ce soir.
Et c’est la vie qui recommence à petits gestes, à petits pas. On s’enracine, on fait silence, on ou-blie les tracas.
from Quand l’amour passe entre nos voix

Diane Boudreau

2. Le Rideau

The river tumbles onwards to the sea, and rushes, racing over rocks and stones, and boulders, branches, pebbles, sand and scree, singing so many melodies to me, in whispering notes and thunderous roaring tones.
 Music that lingers in the ears and mind, soothing confusing thoughts that come my way, easing all stress, so my spirit is resigned, to watching its water ripple, swirl, glide and wind, and giving a soft contentment to my day.
 Always there, this river, which is never still, and every night and day, how strong it flows, into each pool, each inlet and each new rill, it does, my thirsty soul, with pleasure fill, and sets my thoughts on peace, and my ‘being’ glows.

The Singing River
Ernestine Northover

3. In song

My life flows on in endless song; above earth’s lamentation, I hear the sweet, tho’ far-off hymn that hails a new creation;
Thro’ all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing; It finds an echo in my soul – How can I keep from singing?
from How can I keep from singing?

Robert Wadsworth Lowry

4. Singing Summer’s Praises

See, the grass is full of stars, fallen in their brightness; Hearts they have of shining gold, rays of shining whiteness.
Buttercups have honeyed hearts, bees they love the clover, but I love the daisies’ dance all the meadow over.
Blow, O blow, you happy winds, singing summer’s praises, up the field and down the field a-dancing with the daisies.

Daisy Time
Marjorie Pickthall

5. How can I keep from singing?

Longue journée de misemaine, tout nous bouscule et nous entraine, mais dans le tumult, un espoir: pouvoir chanter ce soir.
Et c’est la vie qui recommence à petits gestes, à petits pas. On s’enracine, on fait silence, on ou-blie les tracas.
My life flows on in endless song; above earth’s lamentation, I hear the sweet, tho’ far-off hymn that hails a new creation;
Thro’ all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing; It finds an echo in my soul –
Nos voix s’élevent et se confondent, chassant les ombres de l’ennui et nous dévoilent un autre monde au parfun d’harmonie.
How can I keep from singing?

French text: Quand l’amour passe entre nos voix,
Diane Boudreau
English text: How can I keep from singing?
Robert Wadsworth Lowry