Samhain

• Instruments: Piano and optional ‘cello.
• Duration: 3:00 minutes
• Difficulty: Low
• Samhain Score PDF
• Samhain mp3 sample

Selected performances

For past and scheduled performances, see the “Wheel of the Year” page here.

Samhain: Original Lyrics

Eucalyptus, rosemary,
Burning brightly for remembrance:
Burning bright for purity
On this night when we remember…

Once again, Shadow’s Eve.
Light the candle at the window.
Set a light to guide them home
Through the darkness of the night.

Contemplate our visions,
Dreaming of times long gone:
Dreaming of our loved ones
Who have passed across our lives…

Eucalyptus, rosemary,
Burning brightly for remembrance
Burning bright for purity
On this night when we recall.

General Information

Samhain (pronounced “Sow-een”) is the second movement of the Wheel of the Year song cycle, and the song cycle’s first vocal movement.

It was originally published as part of the full cycle in 2004, and subsequently released as an individual work in 2010.

The work has been performed in numerous countries around the world. Significant performances include the premiere by RMIT Occasional Choral Society in 2004 as part of the Young Melbourne Composers concert, and a repeat performance by RMIT Occasional Choral Society, together with LaTrobe University Choral Society, in 2011.