Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you plann'd: Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad.

In 2011, composer Edward-Rhys Harry was approached by the Child Bereavement UK charity to conduct their annual Christmas concert. A coming together of staff members but also of those who had been supported by the charity: those who had lost a child and children who had lost loved ones. The concert was to be a happy occasion that would also need some room for reflection by all those who attended.

Reading Festival Chorus was asked to perform as the choir for the evening, assisting the congregation in singing Christmas carols and songs but that need for reflection and remembrance was the inspiration for this particular setting.

Reflective, sensitive but ultimately leading the listener to accept Rossetti's words of comfort, and encouragement to be happy - yes even in loss.

The piece is suitable for performance in church services as well as memorial and celebration services.