Product Description
A beautiful slow melody in 4/4 followed by a rousing 6/4 trek with fanfares then returning to the slow melody in 4/4. Not overly difficult but players should be around Grade 5 (ABRSM) and bands of around 2nd to 3rd section, although still possible with 4th section bands.
Inspired by an old ruined church in my town called the 'Cross Kirk' during the times of the Cromwellian invasion of Scotland.
Part 1 It is around the year 1650. A novice monk awakes from his slumber to the echoes of prayers and holy chanting coming through the cloisters. After he rises, he readies the oxen for a trek down the St. Andrews Road to the nearby satellite site of the priory - the site of the modern day St Andrew's cemetery.
Part 2 It is an arduous trek over a muddy, rocky, unprepared track with heavy carts, with oxen straining to pull the load. They stop for a breather (3:09) and the impressive vistas are observed and the flag at 'Auld Neidpath' is just visible, reflected in the noble theme between the arduous oxen trekking theme.
Part 3 The caravan starts to speed up; the oxen being startled by the sounds of fanfare trumpets coming from behind - a brave group of knights have broken through English lines and speed towards Neidpath to reinforce the besieged occupants. As they pass the wagon train, the fanfares get louder until the party reach the head of the train where the lead Knight halts to show piety to the Hieromonk who blesses him and his knights. The novice looks on awe-inspired at the brave knights, with noble faces, resplendent in shining armour, with banners flapping in the wind. No time to stop! The knights remount and continue on, the fanfares trailing off into the distance. The wagon train slows down having reached its destination.
Part 4 The novice is back at the priory, reflecting on seeing knights for the first time (receiving their blessing); their nobility and bravery impressed upon him and retires to his cell for the evening, the evening prayers and chants again echoing through the cloisters . As he closes his eyes, his mind returns to the knights and a smile crosses his face as he gently drifts off to sleep, as the final bell of the day tolls.
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