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I sang this song about 10 years ago at a summer choir camp for Adults and I’ve been trying for 10 years to remember the name of the piece so I could sing it again. I’m not sure if it was just a different search engine I was using or maybe a typo, but suddenly, this video popped up and it was THE ONE.

Now I get to share this with you, life is good. :)

Robert Frost (1874-1963) “Choose Something Like a Star” (1916)

O Star (the fairest one in sight),

We grant your loftiness the right To some obscurity of cloud— It will not do to say of night,

Since dark is what brings out your light.

Some mystery becomes the proud.

But to be wholly taciturn In your reserve is not allowed.

Say something to us we can learn By heart and when alone repeat.

Say something! And it says, ‘I burn.’

But say with what degree of heat.

Talk Fahrenheit, talk Centigrade.

Use language we can comprehend.

Tell us what elements you blend.

It gives us strangely little aid, But does tell something in the end.

And steadfast as Keats’ Eremite, Not even stooping from its sphere, It asks a little of us here.

It asks of us a certain height,

So when at times the mob is swayed To carry praise or blame too far,

We may choose something like a star

To stay our minds on and be staid.

“Choose Something Like a Star” is a piece by Randall Thompson, part of his larger choral work titled “Frostiana,” which sets seven poems by Robert Frost to music. Here’s a description of this specific composition:

Composition Background: “Choose Something Like a Star” was composed in 1959 as part of “Frostiana,” commissioned for the bicentennial celebration of Amherst, Massachusetts, where Robert Frost had lived. Thompson, an American composer, was known for his choral works, and this piece exemplifies his style, combining accessible melodies with thoughtful settings of poetry.

Musical Style and Structure:
The piece is typically scored for SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) choir, often with piano accompaniment, though orchestral versions exist.
It features a reflective, lyrical quality that matches the contemplative nature of Frost’s poetry. The music is set in a way that enhances the poetic imagery and emotional depth of the text.
The melody is simple yet evocative, with harmonic progressions that support the mood of the text. Thompson’s use of harmony often creates a sense of longing or introspection, appropriate for the theme of looking to the stars for constancy amid human turmoil.

Text and Theme:
The text of “Choose Something Like a Star” is taken from Frost’s poem of the same name. It speaks to the idea of finding something constant and high-minded to look up to when human affairs become too chaotic or overwhelming.
The poem uses the metaphor of the star to suggest a source of inspiration, guidance, or stability in one’s life. It encourages the reader or listener to choose something transcendent to focus on, to maintain perspective or peace of mind.

Cultural Impact:
“Choose Something Like a Star” resonates with audiences through its message of seeking something enduring in a world of change, making it not just a musical piece but a philosophical or spiritual touchstone for many.

This composition by Randall Thompson is a beautiful example of how music can illuminate and enhance poetry, offering listeners both aesthetic pleasure and thoughtful reflection.