Sing me a song –
when all the world is a sea of wrong,
when every weary mind is seeking fireside
and every voice is soft beneath a veil of snow
– a song will carry me home.

Take me away –
to where the sunlight is bright and strong;
to where these troubles fade out in the light of day
and every water finds its way down to the sea
– let water take me home.

Find me a way –
through the dark and toward the dawn;
though every rush of wind may send me back again,
every footstep brings me nearer to the day
– the day will bring me home.

Sing to the dawn –
to all the world in a frozen song,
to every bitter heart that holds its love apart:
“you must know the dark of night to find the dawn
– the dawn will carry you home.”

Thomas LaVoy

**Note: all poems are best viewed on desktop, laptop or tablet to preserve intended line breaks**

Toward the Dawn was commissioned by Peter R. Boak and the Island Community Chorus of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts in celebration of their 25th season together. Initially intended for premiere performance in December of 2020, this piece draws upon themes of winter and looking forward to new beginnings in the spring. The text was written specifically for this work during the Covid-19 pandemic, to reflect the understanding that a brighter day will soon come to us – one that we will appreciate all the more having lived through such a difficult time.

This poem is not available for use by composers. To commission a new text for use in a musical score, or for any other occasion, please visit my poetry page.