Uploaded May 2013 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
***** ....the Holocaust is a story of unimaginable darkness. Yet within that abyss, human resilience, belief, and unbreakable light shone through. .... the power of faith, human spirit and art could never/can never be extinguished.
NOTE about music: folk tune/ anonymous text in first and last section (m. 13-29 & 47-end).
ZRS wrote the words/music to m. 30-46, and arranged the entirely of the work.
NARRATION: Essential to include in the performance - very effective to start at the 3-second mark ( immediately after introduction begins). But, of course, it could effectively be read prior to the start of the work.
SA/Piano (opt. oboe/strings).
Heritage Music Press 15/2940 (also SATB, SSAB, and SSA)
duration 4:13
Join the over 4,300 subscribers to Randall's channel, and see/hear the other 108 videos he has created. Several new works have just been recorded, including his new extended (six-movement) work, IN PARADISUM -released in the spring. (Go to zrstroope.com to listen to/see a score.)
***** ....the Holocaust is a story of unimaginable darkness. Yet within that abyss, human resilience, belief, and unbreakable light shone through. .... the power of faith, human spirit and art could never/can never be extinguished.
NOTE about music: folk tune/ anonymous text in first and last section (m. 13-29 & 47-end).
ZRS wrote the words/music to m. 30-46, and arranged the entirely of the work.
NARRATION: Essential to include in the performance - very effective to start at the 3-second mark ( immediately after introduction begins). But, of course, it could effectively be read prior to the start of the work.
SA/Piano (opt. oboe/strings).
Heritage Music Press 15/2940 (also SATB, SSAB, and SSA)
duration 4:13
Join the over 4,300 subscribers to Randall's channel, and see/hear the other 108 videos he has created. Several new works have just been recorded, including his new extended (six-movement) work, IN PARADISUM -released in the spring. (Go to zrstroope.com to listen to/see a score.)










![THE GLASTONBURY THORN -Composed/Conducted by Z. Randall Stroope
**** Amazing story! Glastonbury (pronounced “glah-stuh-n-bree”) is a town in southwest England, known for its natural beauty,
ancient sites, myths, and King Arthur legends. This song is based on a traditional belief of a miracle that has been passed down to kings and queens for centuries.
Glastonbury overlooks the marshes of the Somerset Levels. Glastonbury
and surrounding is a pilgrimage for New Age enthusiasts, those with strong religious convictions, persons
fascinated by legends and “grails,” and those who simply love Somerset and the peaceful sanctuary of the
beautiful flora and fauna.
Many pilgrims believe that Joseph of Arimathea (the figure who offered the tomb for Jesus’ body) went to Britain with a group of followers, bringing the cup (Holy Grail) that had been used
at the Last Supper. When they arrived in Glastonbury, tradition holds that Joseph stuck his staff into the ground,
and it immediately rooted and burst into bloom. This was a sign to Joseph to establish the first church in England
on that hill. The staff is believed to be from a spring from the crown of thorns – thus the “Glastonbury Thorn”
tradition began. Flowers from that thorn tree have been presented to queens and kings during Advent.
SATB/soprano or alto soloist
Walton Music - WW1975
duration 5 minutes
Recording: The New American Voices
Text (ZRS):
O’er the brooks and marshy levels of Glastonbury,
Standing in tall wind-swept moor grass and bluish meadow rue,
An Eastern Thorn with flowers white and brilliant as the dawn,
With roseberries on new-fallen snow.
The deep hay meadow’d roots of the Glastonbury Thorn
Remind one of abiding Faith in the harshest of storms.
The thorn leaves of the Ley Line give Refuge and strength,
And Hope on Joseph’s branches for all who believe.
Twice-blooming offspring of the stainless Rose,
Celebrate the Holy Grail of birth, love and life.
Weio, weio, allewe-gloria!
Weio, weio, alleweio!
***weio, alleweio - [weo alɛweo] or transliterated, “way-oh, ah-leh-way-oh” – this archaic phrase,
likely used in some “urban dictionary of the medieval world,” appears to communicate praise
or adoration of a higher being or of the natural world.
***ley line – straight geographic alignments thought to be intentionally drawn between historical
structures/landmarks; some traditions promote that ancient societies deliberately built
these lines to “engage the earth’s energy,” communicate with other worlds, or even align
trade routes.
Join the over 4,300 subscribers to Randalls channel, and see/hear the other 108 videos he has created. Several new works have just been recorded, including his new extended (six-movement) work, IN PARADISUM - released in the spring. (Go to zrstroope.com to listen and see a score.) THE GLASTONBURY THORN -Composed/Conducted by Z. Randall Stroope](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_FC9-fw5Dbo/mqdefault.jpg)