More Sample Songs
Here are a few other examples of the music to be heard on the Wyndstar albums, several of which are illustrated with appropriate samples from the Artwork of Coral J. F. Mosbø:
Wizards
The fantasy boardgame Wizards - designed by Coral & Thomas Mosbø - was published in 1982 by the Avalon Hill Game Company. All of the artwork for our game was created by Coral, a few examples being displayed here: Wizards, The Star Dance, and The Spell of Spells. To see more of Coral's Game Artwork (with futher details), click the "Wizards" logo on the left of this page.
Thomas then created a "theme song" for our game Wizards by updating the lyrics from a song originally written in 1974 (from the album VOYAGES).
In an age of men
When realms of mystery are forgotten
And the words of magic fall to silence
Then the shadows come
And creep across the land unseen
Spreading fear despair and violence
When the darkness comes
And men are wrapped within its shroud
And the end of all is in view
Then the time is short
And ancient magic must awaken
There is only one light to shine through
Only Wizards can free the land
And only they can bring the new light
In the magic of the Spell of Spells
Will come the dawn to end the night
All who feel the call
And sense the magic in the air
Must respond and face the true test
Seek the Sacred Gems
Through tasks of light dispel the darkness
Help the Wizards to complete their quest
Only Wizards can free the land
And only they can bring the new light
In the magic of the Spell of Spells
Will come the dawn to end the night
Will come the dawn
The dawn to end
To end the night
Grace And Truth
A Christmas carol, with lyrics which emphasise aspects of the Incarnation taken from the Gospels, especially from the Gospel of John (from the album PRAYERS).
Grace and truth are born on this night
In the babe of Bethlehem
Wait with shepherds in quiet fields
For the message sent to them
Light and life shine out in the night
And the darkness fades away
Hear the angels sing in the skies
Heed the words they come to say
Glory be to God in the highest
Peace to all on the earth
Seek the saviour of the world in a stable
On this night of his birth
For Immanuel is come
In him God is with us forevermore
Join the wise who follow his star
Kneel with them as they adore
We receive now grace upon grace
Through the saviour Christ the Lord
God’s full truth in him is revealed
So we sing in one accord
Hall’luyah
The Woods [innocent version]
The Unicorn is the longest and most dramatic of the fantasy tales on the album TALES FROM THE WYNDS. Here is a self-contained adaptation of one portion of it, a song of innocence about the meeting of a girl and the Unicorn, with no foreshadowing of the tragedy which would later unfold (available only on the WYNDSONGS compilation).
The autumn day was crisp and bright
The trees seemed rich and good
In a sudden gust of wynd there blew
Leaves from the nearby wood
A gentle stream flowed from the woods
It seemed to lead the way
Enchantments beckoned her to come
She wanted to obey
If I just walk along the bank
I won’t get lost and I won’t stray
And so she stepped into the woods that day
The stream led to a waterfall
That sparkled like a jewel
And at its base a creature drank
From the cold refreshing pool
It raised its head and she could see
That on its brow one silver horn
Revealed it as the sacred Unicorn
Its coat was white as purest snow
Its face as graceful as a deer
On silver cloven hoofs it stood
And looked at her as she drew near
Its eyes were full of wisdom deep
And love that melted all her fear
She tried to reach the Unicorn
But it just leapt away
Then turned to her as if it said
Come with me now and play
She followed as it led her on
Her soul was captured and entranced
So all that day they ran and played and danced
And How
The melody comes from a simple song I wrote when I was 10 years old, but which now includes a fugal interlude and has been recast to tell the story of my prayers for a wife - which were answered when I met Coral at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. This is therefore both my oldest and one of my newest songs (this full-length version being available only on the WYNDSONGS compilation).
The soul I’m praying for I foresee
Will be my angel for eternity
We’ll find each other on some dark night
When you will come to me and bring me light
And how I’ll fall for you
I’ll give my all for you
Yes I will fall for you
The time will come my love when we are one
We’ll shine together as the moon and sun
And how I’ll fall for you
I’ll give my all for you
Yes I will fall for you
Canticle Of The Sun
One of the best examples of my "classical" style, this arrangement of Saint Francis of Assisi's famous poem is the centrepiece of High Matins (from the album PRAYERS).
O Most High Almighty good Lord God
To you be praise and honour
Glory and blessing hall’luyah
Praised be our Lord for all your creatures
Especially for Brother Sun
Who makes the day and gives us light
Fayre is he with radiant splendour
The image Lord of you
Praised be our Lord for Sister Moon
Who with the stars set in your heavens
Shines with brilliant clarity
Praised be our Lord for Brother Wynd
For air and mist and atmosphere
The breath of life in all your creatures
Praised be our Lord for Sister Water
Who for our sake is always helpful
Modest precious pure and cleansing
Praised be our Lord for Brother Fyre
Through whom you give us light in darkness
Bright and pleasant vibrant mighty
Praised be our Lord for Mother Earth
Who nurtures us and gives her life
To grasses varied fruits and flowers
Praised be our Lord for those who love
And forgive
For all who suffer wrongs with patience
Blessed are those who live in peace
Your crowne of life is theirs
Praised be our Lord for Sister Death
From whom none living may escape
Alas for those of evil heart
Yet blessed are those who do your will
There is no harm in death for them
We praise and bless you Lord
And give you thanks
And serve you in humility hall’luyah
Voyages
The other music samples heard on this website are either short songs or excerpts from longer pieces. These final two are complete major works. The first is my longest continuous piece of music, written in the most “progressive rock” style. The main themes of each movement are all built from the opening notes of the song (C-D-C-G-D-C-G-C). Lyrically, Voyages is a cosmic myth based on the idea that the stars themselves are conscious entities, and that all life and all the universe are linked in spirit (from the album VOYAGES).
Coral Symphony (in G Minor)
Perhaps my best composition of all, the Coral Symphony is based on two pieces I had written originally for our wedding in 1975. - the Wedding March (which both our daughters also used at their weddings) and the final Adago. It is a minimalist Haydnesque work which follows the basic structure of 18th-Century symphonies.
1st Movement - Youth (Adagio / Allegro)
[mono-thematic Sonata Form with slow introduction]
0:00 - Introduction Theme
1:00 - Preview of Finale Adagio Theme
2:03 - Introduction Theme reprise
2:45 - Exposition of Allegro Theme
3:51 - Exposition repeat
4:55 - Development of Allegro Theme
5:41 - Retransition
6:01 - Recapitulation of Allegro Theme
7:04 - Coda - based on Introduction Theme
2nd Movement - Wedding March (Andante)
[Rondo with Theme & Variations]
7:37 - Rondo Theme
8:07 - Rondo Theme first variation
8:37 - First Episodic Theme
9:37 - Rondo Theme second variation
10:07 - Second Episodic Theme
10:52 - Rondo Theme third variation (Maestoso)
3rd Movement - Star Dance (Minuet & Trio)
11:46 - Minuet phase 1
12:25 - Minuet phase 2
12:49 - Trio (English Horn / French Horn / solo Viola) - based on Allegro Theme
13:31 - Minuet phase 2 reprise
13:55 - Minuet phase 1 reprise
4th Movement - Endeavours (Presto / Adagio)
[free-form Finale with echoes of Sonata Form]
14:40 - Presto Theme Exposition - with hint of Adagio Theme
15:46 - Presto Theme Development
17:32 - Andante Rondo Theme reprise
18:17 - Presto Theme Recapitulation
18:53 - Presto Theme augmented
20:10 - Coda - Adagio Theme