Melissa Dunphy

Commissioned for the Upper Arlington High School Symphonic Choir, Dr. Brandon Moss and Dr. David Monseur, directors

A playful, uplifting, and gospel-influenced work for mixed chorus on the nature of joy, with text by Mark A. Boyle.

Text

I Took a Walk with Joy
From Two on Joy by Mark A. Boyle

I took a walk with Joy today
With hopes our concord would increase.
Sweet Joy (not having much to say)
Delighted in the sudden peace.

Not one for idle prose
They chose instead to contemplate
Each arching tree. Each blooming rose
Received its time and slowed our gait.

After what seemed like hours
My silent friend, with practiced care,
Then paused among a field of flowers
And picked a modest daisy there.

Resplendent Joy now turned to me
With simple blossom now in hand
And offered it, midst floral sea,
In hopes that I might understand:

When searching long for Joy, it seems
It can be found in a lofty place,
More often, though, it's wild and free,
And waits to bless the humblest face.

Performances

• 08 Oct, 2024: Upper Arlington High School Symphonic Choir at Upper Arlington High School, Upper Arlington, OH