Featuring Cy Plotel and the Polysons Children's Choir.
The title for "Now They Belong to the Ages" again comes from Abraham Lincoln, but this time from his death bed on April 15th, 1863 where then Secretary of State Edwin M. Stanton said upon Lincoln's passing "Now he belongs to the ages". I was searching for a song about reconciliation of the conflicts of the past with hope for the future, and the voice of my student Cy Plotel (9 years old at the time) came to mind. The symbolism of children singing a song about a world without weapons is a pointed reminder to all of us adults that we should all do more to end gun related violence in our country and in the world.
This tune adheres to a verse-chorus form, yet is filled with mysterious chords that bridge classical music with a Pop music chorus. The second verse is taken up by a children's choir with the boy soprano: there isn't a dry eye in the house. The ending lines of this song "Your arms so impotent and useless Lie still, fall silent, disappear" lead us to a very long note that develops to the finale.