The Dylan Thomas poem of the same name was the motivation for this musical composition. While not a programmatic depiction of the poem, the work attempts to recreate the essence of the poem in sound. The opening motive, representative of the life force, permeates much of the work. The use of sound layers - in the form of polytonal hymns - calls to mind the struggles and persistence of the human spirit and its refusal to "go gentle." A substantial and dramatic work for mature ensembles.