[ Featuring Crouch End Festival Chorus, Coldfall Primary School Choir, Hannah Brine Choirs, Mark le Brocq ]
NICOLAS
My parents died. All too soon
I left the tranquil beauty of their home
And knew the wider world of man.
Poor Man! I found him solitary, racked
By doubt: born, bred, doomed to die
In everlasting fear of everlasting death:
The foolish toy of time, the darling of decay -
Hopeless, faithless, defying God.
Heartsick, in hope to mask
The twisted face of poverty
I sold my lands to feed the poor
I gave my goods to charity
But love demanded more.
Heartsick, I cast away
All things that could distract my mind
From full devotion to His will
I thrust my happiness behind
But love desired more still.
Heartsick, I called on God
To purge my angry soul
To be my only master, friend and guide
I begged for sweet humility
And Love was satisfied.