All in the April Evening

Sir Hugh Roberton (1874-1952) wrote a four-voice and piano accompaniment setting All in An April Evening to Irish poet-writer Katharine Tynan Hinkson's poem, Sheep and Lambs.

Today is Palm Sunday. The week leading up to Christ's crucifixion on Friday, and His Resurrection on Sunday next.

This MP3 Selection Expired on 04-15-2009
John Wilson and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia
All in the April Evening

Sheep and Lambs
Katharine Tynan Hinkson (1861 - 1931)

All in the April evening
April airs were abroad;
The sheep with their little lambs
Passed me by on the road.

The sheep with their little lambs
Passed me by on the road;
All in the April evening
I thought on the Lamb of God.

The lambs were weary and crying
With a weak, human cry.
I thought on the Lamb of God
Going meekly to die.

Up in the blue, blue mountains
Dewy pastures are sweet;
Rest for the little bodies,
Rest for the little feet.

But for the Lamb of God,
Up on the hill-top green,
Only a cross of shame
Two stark crosses between.

All in the April evening,
April airs were abroad;
I saw the sheep with their lambs,
And thought on the Lamb of God.