Intriguing story by Longfellow, about a young man’s misguided venture to climb higher and higher in the Alps, which was the go-to destination in those days. The lad set off with his banner, heeding the warnings of the old man, the maiden, the peasant and some monks. The banner carried the inscription ‘Excelsior!’, which in old language means ‘ever higher!’. No happy ending for him, alas.

There’s a bit of a pattern emerging in Geoff’s theme, first the father taking his son into Erlking territory and regretting it, then this!

‘Strange Device’ here doesn’t mean any sort of gadget but is Middle English for ‘Intention’, as in ‘We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts’. The Falchion was a heavy 13th century sword, much liked by soldiers because it let them cut through shields and armour. Bit more of the macabre but rousing stuff.

I can’t find any Excelsior scores in Google searches so it’s not everyone’s choice. But Geoff has provided parts of the piano accompaniment to fill in gaps in the text, giving better flow and indications how to pitch the next bits.

Soprano

 

Alto

 

Tenor

 

Bass