The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Air Force Song
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
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That floats and falls from off the twisted bough
To lie and faint within your silken bosom
Within your silken bosom as that does now.
Or would I were a little burnish'd apple
For you to pluck me, gliding by so cold
While sun and shade you robe of lawn will dapple
Your robe of lawn, and you hair's spun gold.
Yeah, would to God I were among the roses
That lean to kiss you as you float between
While on the lowest branch a bud uncloses
A bud uncloses, to touch you, queen.
Nay, since you will not love, would I were growing
A happy daisy, in the garden path
That so your silver foot might press me going
Might press me going even unto death.
The lyrics of Mormon Tabernacle Choir's song Londonderry Air are filled with longing for a love that is unrequited. The singer wishes he were "the tender apple blossom that floats and falls from off the twisted bough" or a "little burnish'd apple for you to pluck me." His desire is to be close to the object of his affection - to be "within your silken bosom." The imagery used in the lyrics is of nature - the singer wants to be something beautiful and fleeting, like a flower or a falling apple.
The lyrics take a darker turn in the second stanza as the singer realizes his love is not returned. He wishes he were "among the roses that lean to kiss you" but knows that will never happen. Instead, he wishes he were a "happy daisy, in the garden path" so that his love could at least be stepped on. It is a sad expression of unreciprocated love, and the emphasis on the natural world only enhances the beauty and tragedy of the singer's desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Would God I were the tender apple blossom
Oh how I wish I was as delicate and beautiful as an apple blossom
That floats and falls from off the twisted bough
That gently falls from a tree branch, carried by the breeze
To lie and faint within your silken bosom
To rest and surrender myself in your soft embrace
Within your silken bosom as that does now.
Just like this apple blossom is softly held by the breeze, within your warm embrace, I too would like to be held by you now
Or would I were a little burnished apple
Maybe I would prefer to be a small apple that shines and catches your eye
For you to pluck me, gliding by so cold
So that you could pick me up as you pass by, even if you are indifferent to my existence
While sun and shade your robe of lawn will dapple
While sunlight and shadow mix to create patterns on your dress
Your robe of lawn, and your hair's spun gold.
Your beautiful dress and flowing golden hair are such a sight to behold
Yeah, would to God I were among the roses
I wish I was among the roses, their sweet fragrance filling the air around you
That lean to kiss you as you float between
The flowers all reach out to give you a kiss as you gracefully pass by
While on the lowest branch a bud uncloses
As you pass, on the lowest stem of a rose flower, a new bud begins to open
A bud uncloses, to touch you, queen.
This new rose bud is a symbol of your royalty, and I wish I could touch you like this flower does
Nay, since you will not love, would I were growing
But if loving me is not possible, then I wish I was something small and unremarkable
A happy daisy, in the garden path
Maybe just a simple daisy, growing freely in the garden
That so your silver foot might press me going
So that your foot might brush over me as you pass by
Might press me going even unto death.
Even if it means death, just to feel your touch for a moment
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, K - M MUSIC INC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, TERRY RENDALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind