The Dream of Gerontius (7/7): Sarah Connolly sings "Softly and gently, dearly-ransomed soul"

As the Angel gently bringing the soul of Gerontius to rest, superb mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly sings: "Softly and gently, dearly-ransomed soul".

"Angel
Softly and gently, dearly-ransomed soul,
In my most loving arms I now enfold thee,
And o'er the penal waters, as they roll,
I poise thee, and I lower thee, and hold thee.

And carefully I dip thee in the lake,
And thou, without a sob or a resistance,
Dost through the flood thy rapid passage take,
Sinking deep, deeper, into the dim distance.

Angels to whom the willing task is given,
Shall tend, and nurse, and lull thee, as thou liest;
And Masses on the earth, and prayers in heaven,
Shall aid thee at the Throne of the Most Highest.

Farewell, but not for ever! brother dear,
Be brave and patient on thy bed of sorrow;
Swiftly shall pass thy night of trial here,
And I will come and wake thee on the morrow.
Farewell! Farewell!

Souls in Purgatory
Lord, Thou hast been our refuge, etc. Amen

Choir of Angelicals
Praise to the Holiest, etc. Amen."

Extract from Part 2 of a live performance of the oratorio "The Dream of Gerontius" by Sir Edward Elgar based on the poem by Cardinal John Henry Newman, given in Boston, Mass., in January 2008.

Sir Colin Davis conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.
The soloists were Ben Heppner (tenor), Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano) and Gerald Finley (bass-baritone).

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