A Mother's Carol, Clay Zambo and Scott Ethier

A Mother’s Carol

Her breath returned after pain of birth,
She awkwardly rests him on her knee.
An angel told her of peace on earth;
This new mother’s song could only be:
“Magnificat!
Magnificat anima mea Dominum!
On wings of praise my soul flies free.”

A mother’s carol, a baby’s cry:
What sorrow and joy they both express.
If she had known how her son would die,
Would Mary have said so firm a “Yes?”
Magnificat!
Magnificat anima mea Dominum!
Let all creation say no less.

For each of us comes a time of choice--
To answer the call or turn away.
And if today you may hear that voice,
May you find the grace to boldly say,
“Magnificat!
Magnificat anima mea Dominum!
May peace be born through me today.”
- Clay Zambo

This is a new composition that won this year's VocalEssence and American Composer's Forum's 11th annual Welcome Christmas! Carol Contest. The piece also will be recorded by Minnesota Public Radio for distribution in 2009.

Scott Ethier is a composer and pianist who writes and performs concert works, musical theater, and jazz. His musical Rosa Parks (book and lyrics by Jeff Hughes) was commissioned by Theaterworks/USA and kicks off a tour of the United States at New York City’s Town Hall in February of 2009.