The oak tree and the cypress

SATB, a cappella with tenor and soprano soloists

I never tire of Kahlil Gibran’s writings from his landmark 1923 book, The Prophet.  It’s been translated into over 100 different languages and is one of the best-selling books of all time (it has never been out of print).  When a friend of mine asked me to write a piece for his upcoming wedding, I knew I’d find something in Gibran’s writings that would be appropriate and, as usual, the Lebanese-American poet didn’t disappoint.

The book concerns itself with the fictional prophet, Al Mustafa, who is about to embark on a ship that will take him back to his homeland from the fictional city of Orphalese.  As he sets out on his journey, he is approached by a group of people with whom he engages in profound conversations about life and the human experience.  One of these people in particular, a woman named Almitra, is deeply moved by the prophet’s wisdom and she ends up serving as his spiritual counterpart in the narrative, guiding the flow of his teachings.  Her presence and inquiries prompt the reflections that form the core of The Prophet.

Gibran’s musing on the subject of marriage reminds the reader that marriage is a celebration of love that honors individuality and mutual respect within unity rather than some sort of merging of identities. Though there is a connection, each partner remains distinct. This idea led me to use the Tingsha bells to sort of “crack open” the listening space because they’re made up of two separate bronze cymbals joined together that have to work in conjunction with one another to make a beautiful sound.

The oak tree and the cypress was commissioned by Kurt Edward Kruckeberg for Daniel Abraham Flores.  It was premiered at their wedding by the Byrd Ensemble (Markdavin Obenza, conductor) at the Seattle Art Museum on May 2, 2025.  It is dedicated with love, hope, and joy to them on their wedding day.

The Text

On Marriage
By Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)

Then Almitra spoke again and said, And what of Marriage, master?
     And he answered saying:
     You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
     You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
     Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
     But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
     And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
     Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
     Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
     Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
     Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
     Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
     For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
     And stand together yet not too near together:
     For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
     And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

Performed by the Byrd Ensemble
(Markdavin Obenza, conductor)