Invitation To love - Riley Ferretti (Premiere)

Performed by the University of Louisville Cardinal Singers and Conducted by Dr. Kent Hatteberg.
Soloist- Emma Pinkley

Come when the nights are bright with stars
Or come when the moon is mellow;
Come when the sun his golden bars
Drops on the hay-field yellow.
Come in the twilight soft and gray,
Come in the night or come in the day,
Come, O love, whene’er you may,
And you are welcome, welcome.

You are sweet, O Love, dear Love,
You are soft as the nesting dove.
Come to my heart and bring it to rest
As the bird flies home to its welcome nest.

Come when my heart is full of grief
Or when my heart is merry;
Come with the falling of the leaf
Or with the redd’ning cherry.
Come when the year’s first blossom blows,
Come when the summer gleams and glows,
Come with the winter’s drifting snows,
And you are welcome, welcome.
-Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

Composer Note:
When I first came across this text, the simplicity in the message was so strong and forward that it stuck with me, and I needed to write for it. As I was in the early stages of its composition, I couldn’t help but think of all the emotions underlining such simple and communicative words. Through my writing, I hope to convey that same passion and care.

Website: https://www.rileyferretti.com/