Rogers, Wayland - Close Thine Eyes (SSAA & TTBB)

Close Thine Eyes (Upon a Quiet Conscience) is a setting of "A Good Night," by the 17th century British poet, Francis Quarles. Its reassuring words, bidding a peaceful night of rest, are especiall welcome in an increasingly hectic modern age. Its comforting message is a soothing balm for all that are anxious.


I have sought to reflect this consoling mood musically by several means: the eight-part homophonic texture affords a luxurious cushion of sound, the familiar jazz harmonies connote a feeling of comfort, the melodic lines in the popular style suggest intimacy, the steady, even rhythms and slow tempo evoke tranquility.


There are two settings of a slightly altered version of the poem by two contemporaries of Quarles: John Playford set it as a solo song and Henry Purcell set it as a vocal duet. I have used the same adapted version of the poem as these composers in this setting.