This work began as a loose musical interpretation of George Herbert’s poem The Collar, originally conceived for a clarinet quartet. The instrumentation was later expanded to include a slightly unconventional woodwind ensemble consisting of piccolo, flute, alto flute, bass flute, soprano Eb clarinet, four Bb clarinets, bassoon, and tenor saxophone.
Herbert’s poem depicts a speaker who feels constrained by his faith, expressing mounting frustration and inner conflict before ultimately yielding to a quiet, calling and calming voice. The music mirrors this emotional trajectory, moving from agitation and resistance toward resolution and final acceptance, reflecting the poem’s powerful shift from turmoil to peaceful surrender.
I was first drawn to this poem during my college years, and it continues to have a profound and lasting impact on me.
Lyrics
George Herbert
1593 –1633
I struck the board, and cry'd, No more.
I will abroad.
What? shall I ever sigh and pine?
My lines and life are free; free as the rode,
Loose as the winde, as large as store.
Shall I be still in suit?
Have I no harvest but a thorn
To let me bloud, and not restore
What I have lost with cordiall fruit?
Sure there was wine
Before my sighs did drie it: there was corn
Before my tears did drown it.
Is the yeare onely lost to me?
Have I no bayes to crown it?
No flowers, no garlands gay? all blasted?
All wasted?
Not so, my heart: but there is fruit,
And thou hast hands.
Recover all thy sigh-blown age
On double pleasures: leave thy cold dispute
Of what is fit and not. Forsake thy cage,
Thy rope of sands,
Which pettie thoughts have made, and made to thee
Good cable, to enforce and draw,
And be thy law,
While thou didst wink and wouldst not see.
Away; take heed:
I will abroad.
Call in thy deaths head there: tie up thy fears.
He that forbears
To suit and serve his need,
Deserves his load.
But as I rav'd and grew more fierce and wilde
At every word,
Me thoughts I heard one calling, Child!
And I reply'd, My Lord.