The Soul Has Bandaged Moments
Grand Romantic orchestral aria (Verdi/Puccini vibe). Full symphony orchestra: lush strings, expressive woodwinds, French horns, harp, timpani; restrained brass for climaxes. Dramatic operatic TENOR solo + mixed SATB CHOIR. Concert hall reverb, wide dynamics, no synths/modern drums. Structure: 20–30s upbeat/majestic orchestral intro (Allegro ~110) that ritards + dims to near-silence, thinning texture before tenor enters; tenor verses with rubato/legato; choir sings the same 2-line refrain twice between tenor sections; after final verse orchestra-only build (tremolo strings, horn swells, timpani roll) to crescendo; drop to half texture, tenor delivers last two lines as a powerful finale with sustained high note + orchestral flourish.
The Soul Has Bandaged Moments
Grand Romantic orchestral aria (Verdi/Puccini vibe). Full symphony orchestra: lush strings, expressive woodwinds, French horns, harp, timpani; restrained brass for climaxes. Dramatic operatic TENOR solo + mixed SATB CHOIR. Concert hall reverb, wide dynamics, no synths/modern drums. Structure: 20–30s upbeat/majestic orchestral intro (Allegro ~110) that ritards + dims to near-silence, thinning texture before tenor enters; tenor verses with rubato/legato; choir sings the same 2-line refrain twice between tenor sections; after final verse orchestra-only build (tremolo strings, horn swells, timpani roll) to crescendo; drop to half texture, tenor delivers last two lines as a powerful finale with sustained high note + orchestral flourish.
Lyrics
Title: The Soul has Bandaged Moments
Based on a poem by Emily Dickinson
The Soul has Bandaged moments -
When too appalled to stir -
She feels some ghastly Fright come up
And stop to look at her -
Salute her, with long fingers -
Caress her freezing hair -
Sip, Goblin, from the very lips
The Lover - hovered - o'er -
Unworthy, that a thought so mean
Accost a Theme - so - fair -
The soul has moments of escape -
When bursting all the doors -
She dances like a Bomb, abroad,
And swings opon the Hours,
As do the Bee - delirious borne -
Long Dungeoned from his Rose -
Touch Liberty - then know no more -
But Noon, and Paradise
The Soul's retaken moments -
When, Felon led along,
With shackles on the plumed feet,
And staples, in the song
The Horror welcomes her, again,
These, are not brayed of Tongue -