Bend
Bend
Kyle Pederson (2020)
Voicing: SATB, a cappella
Text: Kyle Pederson
Bend, don't break
my child
when the winds
blow wild.
Lean in,
then rest a while.
Bend, don't break
be brave, my child
when the gale and wave
rush by.
But you will never bend alone.
No one should ever bend alone.
I'm here with you,
I'm bending, too.
And when the wind subsides
you shall rise.
But for now
bend low, my child;
bend low.
Program Notes:
Bend was selected as a finalist in the 2019 Ithaca College Choral Festival, and was performed at the ACDA North/North Central regional conference in 2020. The text of the piece is addressed to anyone facing struggles--and it presents an honest affirmation that those struggles are real. Rather than deny the existence of problems or pain, the listener is encouraged to "lean into" the hardship, to name it--and to thereby reduce its power. Textually and musically, the listener is invited to consider the metaphor of a tree--being whipped by the wind--but built to bend in that wind and ultimately withstand the pressure-filled gales. The power of community is also affirmed--as the listener is encouraged to walk alongside--to bend along with--their neighbor in need.