It is truly fascinating that even today people are inspired to set the old, medieval Stabat Mater text to music. I always love to discover new composers, both from the past as in the present. That happened some time ago when I came in contact with Mr. Phil Vernon, who came across my site when he was writing a new version of Stabat Mater lyrics in English. In doing so he aimed to retain the deeply emotional personal and spiritual core. He was thrilled to find Nicola Burnett Smith willing to set his poem to music. She has been an actor, singer, composer and musician since 1986. Her composition is written for three female voices and double bass.

This Stabat Mater, music by Nicola Burnett Smith, words by Phil Vernon,  had its  first performance on Monday 15th April 2019 as part of Holy Week Mass at St Paul’s Church (The Actors’ Church), Covent Garden in London, featuring vocalists Sarah Lambie, Anna Braithwaite and Nicola Burnett Smith with Dai Price on double bass. I am so delighted Phil and Nicola were so kind to share the video of the performance with me. I listened to it over and over, I love it, it is beautiful in its simplicity and the voices are moving. Thanks! Here is the poem by Phil Vernon:

She sank to her knees on the shaking ground
when she reached the place.

A thorn pierced her heart,
as she raised her eyes
from the foot of the cross,
to her dying son.

A mother’s pain.

And we weep too,
as though we were there.
We see her shudder
to share the deep-bone pain he bore for us.

He died alone.

Mother, let me too
kneel down with you,
bear all I can of all he bore,
share in his love
and in the path he pointed to.

I know he felt those wounds and died for me –
don’t push me away –
mother, I need to feel this too:
I need to know the meaning of this place.

He died for us.

Let me find my harbour in what happened in this place,
let me find my harbour in your arms,
and in his grace.