You might find Tolmach et al's work useful:

http://programatica.cs.pdx.edu/House/

They were also doing a new systems language, Habit, before reassigned to better project. Here's that project:

http://hasp.cs.pdx.edu

Very aware of House and HalVM. Not aware of the second, though, thanks for that even if it's just historical.

HalVM and House still rely on some C for the runtime, so I think my goal would be great for them.