Category: Choral Music
Instrumentation: SATB and piano, or children's chorus or 2 treble voices and piano
Text / Source: Poem by Sara Teasdale
Publisher: Alymar Publications

A Prayer is the closing song of Songs of Life, setting Sara Teasdale’s poetry for chorus and piano. The song emphasizes the importance of enjoying life and loving life with one’s fullest effort, bringing the cycle to a warm and affirming conclusion.

The music is mainly through-composed, with repetition where the lyrics themselves repeat phrases. This approach allows the setting to follow the natural movement of the poem while giving special emphasis to its most important thoughts. Baxter’s melodic directness and tonal grounding make the song accessible, expressive, and rewarding for developing choral ensembles.

A Prayer is appropriate for school, youth, community, and church choir programs, particularly those centered on gratitude, hope, affirmation, and the richness of lived experience. It may serve as a concluding work within the full cycle or as a standalone choral piece with a clear and uplifting message.