John V. Hicks, the writer of the words for the song cycle, First and gracious sight, was one of the first writers that I worked with as a composer. John and I became quite close in a long distance relationship since he lived in Prince Albert and I, in Regina, but we corresponded regularly by mail (before the days of email).
Marjorie Kisbey Hicks, John’s wife of many years, died in 1986 of a massive stroke right after receiving the honour of Canadian Composer in Saskatchewan. John wrote to me about it and included the Credo which he composed soon after her passing. I asked him if I could set to music the poetry from his cycle, First and Gracious Sight, which I felt was intended as a tribute to Marjorie. The words seemed to me to be love songs that one might write about a life with a loved one from the first meeting (1. I all go singing) to morning or the beginning of the relationship (2. I in dawn hand) to the fullness of life together (3. I of noon shine) to the later years (4. I at wane light) to the final years where the words “first and gracious sight” are found (5. I lay down me). They progress through a day from morning to evening, an analogy of their life together. I thought the Credo could open the cycle and he responded by sending a sonnet, In Memoriam which I used to close the cycle.
