• Duration: 5 minutes
  • Chorus: SATB
  • Instrumentation: Piano & String Quartet
  • Published by: GIA Publications

This setting of words by the fourteenth-century English mystic Richard Rolle begins The Fire of Love collection.  The accompaniment is designed to create a pulsating effect as the human soul experiences the kindling of a fire within.  This is ‘a gift the Maker gave’ and so the singers must not only sing the words with humility but also allow themselves to experience something of that gift.  The climaxes must be full of passion as much as the quieter moments should be imbued with tenderness and gratitude.

The Sheet Music for the complete collection of The Fire of Love and the other standalone work This Is The Love is also available.

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This Fire

This fire was kindled inwardly
Of Ghostly cause:
It was a gift the Maker gave.
I am molten in a great desire
For ghostly sweetness:
Lifted high
O’er earthly things.

With fire untrowed1
And thirling2 flame
The lover’s soul doth burn.
It gladdens all things
And sparkles all things
Heavenlike.

1untried            2piercing/penetrating

Words: Andrew Hawes (1954 –  ) adapted from The Fire of Love by Richard Rolle (ca. 1300 – 1349)