Unfortunately the composer we invited to write this year’s compulsory song, had to return the commission, and it was too late to have a new song on this text composed by another composer. We decided to challenge the duos instead to do their own improvisation on the poem by Markham in any way they like. We look forward to hear 12 individual approaches to this poetry in the semifinals on Saturday 16 November!

Sing a While Longer

Edwin Markham (1852–1940)

Has the bright sun set,
  Has the gale grown stronger?
Still we’ll not grieve yet:
  We will sing a while longer!

Has our youth been met
  By Time the wronger?
Let us not grieve yet,
  Let us sing a while longer!

Is the world beset,
  Do the sorrows throng her?
Let us not grieve yet:
  Let us sing a while longer!