into the fray, for 2 voices and piano
Andy McFarlane
“Into the Fray” is a taken from a short poem featured in the film, The Grey, starring Liam Neeson. I have taken the work, written by the father of Neeson’s character, John, and set it to a folk tune in the Dorian mode, placing the chant in the mind of a new character, perhaps John’s grandchild. My character is a soldier in a futuristic war and has been abandoned by his platoon in an immediate evacuation due to heavy enemy troop movements. Behind enemy lines, the soldier ponders his great-grandfather’s words as consolation during his dire circumstance. The woman’s voice represents his spirit and those emotions that fight for control of his will.
Once more into the fray.
Into the last good fight I’ll ever know.
Live and die on this day.
Live and die on this day.Instrumentation - voice and piano
Duration - 3’
into the fray
©2015 Andy McFarlane
Performers: Matthew Crickard, tenor; Brittany Crickard, soprano; Danielle Hutchison, piano
Premiere: Cedarville University Recital Hall, Cedarville, OH 2015