Friday, November 27, 2020

Music for Anywhere Worship: Sunday, November 29, 2020 (First Sunday of Advent)






Welcome to the season of Advent on Notes of Glory! 

For the next four weeks we'll be anticipating the joy of the celebration of Jesus's birth and singing songs reflecting a spirit of expectancy and hope.

May the music, Scripture, stories and images shared here help you to draw closer to the Lord during this special time of year. In lieu of gathering together to sing wonderful music during this festive season as we usually do, my hope is that you are able to sing these beautiful songs with joy in your own home, with your family, using the resources provided here.  

To learn more about this time of waiting and reflecting on the gift of Jesus to the world, you may enjoy reading this fantastic article on Advent from the Desiring God website.
 


If you are a first-time visitor,  click here to find out the story behind "Notes of Glory" (helping you to SING and worship musically wherever you are)!

Here's an alphabetical list of all  "Notes of Glory" music with links so that you can revisit your favorite hymns/songs. 

Complete "Notes of Glory" Song List

TO LISTEN TO MUSIC

Look for the SoundCloud audio player window found below the information provided for each song.  Click on the white arrow in the orange circle.


IF YOU ARE LISTENING/VIEWING ON A MOBILE DEVICE OR TABLET

If given an option on your mobile device, click "LISTEN IN BROWSER" (rather than "Play on SoundCloud") on the audio player windows so that you stay on this page and can sing along using the printed lyrics.




PRELUDE
(to help you enter into a spirit of worship)

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
5th Century hymn from the Liturgy of St. James, paraphrased by Gerard Moultrie. "Picardy" traditional French tune. Solo piano arrangement by Lloyd Larson.

Habakkuk 2:20
But the Lord is in his holy temple;
let all the earth keep silence before him.

Zechariah 2:13
Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

Luke 22:19-20
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Isaiah 6:2-3
Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”
____________________

There are a number of Advent hymns that date to the early Christian era, and "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" is one of of these.  It may have been written as early as 347 A.D. as as part of the Liturgy of St. James which is believed to have originated from the Jerusalem ministry of the apostle James. "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" would originally have been spoken or chanted in Greek prior to the Eucharist during the service of the Mass. In 1864, the Greek text was versified by Anglican teacher and hymn writer Gerard Moultrie (1829-1885), based on a translation by British scholar John Mason Neale (1818-1866) and published in a collection of communion hymns. British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was the first to match the traditional French tune from the Picardy region with Moutrie's text in The English Hymnal (1906). The chant-like minor key melody beautifully echoes the sense of wonder and awe in the text which poetically describes the Incarnation. 


Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
in the body and the blood,
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav'nly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the pow'rs of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.

At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim, with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
"Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia, Lord Most High!"


HYMNS FOR YOU TO SING ANYWHERE
(transposed to easily singable keys!)

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

The Poissy Antiphonal, folio 30v
The Poissy Antiphonal. Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons


 


Medieval Latin hymn. Verses 1-2 translated by John Mason Neale, Verses 3-4 translated by Henry Sloane Coffin. "Veni Emmanuel" plainchant tune, adapted by Thomas Helmore. 

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:2
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.

1 Corinthians 1:30
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

Haggai 2:7
I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.
____________________

The beloved Advent hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is full of a sense of longing and expectation, and like "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence," it also has a long history, dating back to church liturgy in the 8th or 9th century. The hymn we sing today was derived from the "Great (O) Antiphons" in which each verse begins with the word "O/Oh." These antiphons (responsive verses) were chanted or recited in Latin during vespers services in the last week of Advent, in anticipation of the reading of Luke 1:45-56 (the song of Mary, or "Magnificat") on Christmas Eve. Each verse names Christ by a different Biblical title: Wisdom, Adonai, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dayspring or Radiant Dawn, King of Nations (or of the Gentiles), Emmanuel, taking us on a tour of Biblical Messianic prophecy. 

The antiphons' journey to becoming a modern hymn sung in the English language is long and complex (you can read a wonderful article about that here, at Hymnology Archive). Most contemporary versions are based on the 1851 translation and adaption by Anglican priest, scholar and hymnwriter John Mason Neale (1818-1866), including the arrangement shown below using four of the antiphons, which also incorporates a 1906 translation by Henry Sloan Coffin (1877–1954). Coffin was a well-known American Presbyterian minister who was also president of Union Theological Seminary from 1926-1945. The plaintive melody in Dorian mode for "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" ("Veni Emmanuel") also has a somewhat complicated history, but it is known to be of French origin and most likely dates to the 15th century. 

Here is an article by John Piper that delves more deeply into the history and significance of this hymn.  If this hymn is new to you, you might enjoy this lovely rendition by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, from their 2016 Christmas celebration, "Carols from King's."

Public domain. Courtesy of PDhymns.com





O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here,
until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight. [Refrain]

O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
and order all things, far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and cause us in her ways to go. [Refrain]

O come, Desire of nations, bind
all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife, and discord cease;
fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. [Refrain]

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus




Words by Charles Wesley, Music by Rowland S. Prichard

Luke 2:25
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Isaiah 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;

Galatians 4:4-5
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

1 Peter 1:8-9
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
____________________

Continuing with our Advent theme of expectancy and hope, "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" reminds us of Christ's majesty and the sufficiency of His grace. It was written in 1744 by Charles Wesley (1707-1788), whose powerful hymns have been frequently featured here on Notes of Glory. Wesley was contemplating the desperate conditions of orphans at the time and the social and class divide in Great Britain and reflected on Haggai 2:7, "I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty." Wesley wrote a prayer to express his thoughts: "Born Your people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Your gracious kingdom bring. By Your own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; by Your all sufficient merit, raise us to Your glorious throne. Amen."  Using this expressive prayer as a starting point, Wesley wrote the hymn "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus," which was included in his publication  Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (1745), one of four hymn collections for the festivals of the Christian year: other booklets in this series included Resurrection Hymns (1746), Ascension Hymns (1746), and Whitsunday Hymns (1746). "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" was sung to various tunes when first published: today in America it is commonly sung to "Hyfrydol" by Rowland Prichard (1811-1887). You can read more about the history of this hymn and see early published versions here. 

Famed British preacher Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) increased the popularity of "Come Thou, Long Expected Jesus" when he mentioned verses from Wesley's hymn in his December 23, 1855 sermon titled, "The Incarnation and Birth of Christ." 

This brings us to the third point: WHAT DID JESUS COME FOR? He came to be "ruler in Israel." A very singular thing is this, that Jesus Christ was said to have been "born the king of the Jews." Very few have ever been "born king." Men are born princes, but they are seldom born kings. I do not think you can find an instance in history where any infant was born king. He was the prince of Wales, perhaps, and he had to wait a number of years, till his father died, and then they manufactured him into a king, by putting a crown on his head; and a sacred chrism, and other silly things; but he was not born a king. I remember no one who was born a king except Jesus; and there is emphatic meaning in that verse that we sing

"Born thy people to deliver;
Born a child, and yet a king."

The moment that he came on earth he was a king. He did not wait till his majority that he might take his empire; but as soon as his eye greeted the sunshine he was a king; from the moment that his little hands grasped anything, they grasped a sceptre, as soon as his pulse beat, and his blood began to flow, his heart beat royally, and his pulse beat an imperial measure, and his blood flowed in a kingly current. He was born a king. 

If this hymn is new to you, you might enjoy hearing this solo version featuring Fernando Ortega, this arrangement with the St. Olaf choir and orchestra, and this version by Keith and Kristyn Getty.  

Public domain. Courtesy of hymnary.org




Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

Of the Father's Love Begotten




Words by  Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, Translated by H. W. Baker and John Mason Neale. Music: "Divinum Mysterium" Plainsong

John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Colossians 1:15-17
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
_________________

Written by Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (348-413), a Roman poet born in Northern Spain, "Of the Father's Love Begotten" ("Corde Natus Ex Parentis") was a direct response to the early 4th century controversy over the nature of the Trinity. Prudentius was considered to be the greatest Christian poet of his era, and composed Liber Cathemerinon (c. 405), which consists of twelve devotional poems in Latin, six of which were intended for daily use and six for use during special feasts.  (You can read all 12 poems translated into English here).  

British Anglican scholar John Mason Neale (who we've already encountered twice today as translator of "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel") translated and adapted Prudentius's Latin poem in 1851. In 1859 Neale's English translation was further adapted by by English hymn writer Henry W. Baker (1821-1877) and was then published in Hymns Ancient and Modern in 1861. The melody for "Of the Father's Love Begotten" is a plainchant melody, "Divinum Mysterium," which first appeared in manuscript form in the 10th century and was published in a Finnish songbook, Piae Cantiones, in 1582. Although the marriage of text and music in "Of the Father's Love Begotten" feels timeless and natural to our modern ears, in reality "Divinum Mysterium" was not paired with Prudentius's lyrics, translated into English, until the 1850s.

Throughout the hymn, the eternal nature of the Trinity is emphasized, with a jubilant Doxology in the final verse. If Prudentius was trying to make a strong point about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit being Three in One in an era when there was a swirl of controversy on this topic (decisively resolved at the First Council of Nicea in 325), he did so with beauty and clarity here.  If this hymn is new to you, here is a video of the congregation, choirs and orchestra of Peterborogh Catherdral (in Cambridgeshire) singing "Of the Father's Love Begotten" by candlelight, and  here is a version (with a lovely extended organ introduction) by the National Lutheran Choir. 

Public Domain. Courtesy of Hymnary.org



Of the Father's love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore.

Oh, that birth forever blessed,
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race,
and the babe, the world’s Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore.

Let the heights of heav'n' adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing;
pow'rs, dominions, bow before him
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
ev'ry voice in concert ring
evermore and evermore.

Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
and unwearied praises be:
honor, glory, and dominion,
and eternal victory
evermore and evermore! Amen.

POSTLUDE
(to send you forth with joy!)

On This Day Earth Shall Sing 






"Personent Hodie" medieval carol, English translation by Jane M. Joseph, additional English lyrics, "Long Ago, Prophets Knew" by Fred Pratt Green. Solo piano arrangement by Larry Shackley. 

1 Peter 1:10-12
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
____________________

As we conclude today's musical post for the first Sunday of Advent, one more carol that dates back hundreds of years seems appropriate to include, given the theme that has emerged of Christians through the ages evoking the Incarnation through poetry and music. As we sing these songs that remind us of the longing of the Israelites for their promised Messiah, we also remember with joy that Jesus did indeed come to earth to save us from our sins, and we eagerly anticipate his triumphant second coming. 

Piae Cantiones, the 1582 Finnish song book that held the tune for "Of the Father's Love Begotten" also contained the song "Personent Hodie" among other medieval songs with Latin texts.  (You can see what this version looked like in the image above).  The first verse of the text, literally translated, begins:

Let resound today
the voices of children,
joyfully praising
Him who is born to us,
given by most high God,
and conceived in a virginal womb.

John Mason Neale (our translator for today!) translated "Personent Hodie" into English in 1854, and the first verse reads as follows:

Let the song be begun
For the battle is done,
And the vict'ry won:
And the foe is scatt'd,
And the prison shatter'd
Sing of joy, joy, joy
Sing of joy, joy;
And today raise the lay,
Gloria in Excelsis
Gloria in Excelsis,
in Excelsis

A 1924 translation by English composer, arranger and music teacher Jane M. Joseph (1894–1929) begins: 

On this day earth shall ring
with the song children sing
to the Lord, Christ our King,
born on earth to save us;
him the Father gave us.
Id-e-o-o-o, id-e-o-o-o,
Id-e-o gloria in excelsis Deo!

You are free to envision any of these texts as you listen to this dramatic piano postlude, an arrangement of "Personent Hodie" by contemporary composer and arranger Larry Shackley. On a personal note, as I play this arrangement my mind reflects on another set of lyrics written to match the "Personent Hodie" tune by British minister and hymn writer Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000) in 1971. "Long Ago, Prophets Knew" (lyrics are shown below) has been the choral call to worship used by the choir of University Covenant Church in Davis, led by Dr. Larry Birch, for the last several Advent seasons, and is such a powerful way to begin a worship service at 8:00 a.m. during the month of December! To my dear UCC choir members and Larry, our fearless leader: how I wish we could be singing this song together this weekend. Together we will continue to wait with hope and pray for the day when we can join our voices together again.

In this soaring pairing of old tune and new text, the spirit of Old Testament prophecy fits perfectly into the Advent theme of waiting, which we all can relate to during this prolonged time of expectancy. The final line of the first three repetitions of Fred Pratt Green's chorus, "Who will make Him welcome?" challenges us during Advent to make our highest priority worshipping Jesus, the reason for the season.  

Long ago prophets knew
Christ would come born a Jew
Come to make all things new
Bear His people's burden
Freely love and pardon

Chorus 
Ring bells ring ring ring
Sing choirs sing sing sing
When He comes when He comes
Who will make Him welcome

God in time God in man
This is God's timeless plan
He will come as a man
Born Himself of woman
God divinely human
(Chorus) 

Mary hail though afraid
She believed she obeyed
In her womb God is laid
Till the time expected
Nurtured and protected
(Chorus)

Journey ends where afar
Bethl'em shines like a star
Stable door stands ajar
Unborn Son of Mary
Saviour do not tarry

Ring bells ring ring ring
Sing choirs sing sing sing
Jesus comes Jesus comes
We will make Him welcome

CCLI Song # 5194580

Fred Pratt Green | Lloyd Larson
© Words: 1971 Hope Publishing Company
Music: 2008 Hope Publishing Company

For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 419384

Here's the complete playlist of all the songs featured in today's post.  Enjoy!


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Friday, November 20, 2020

Music for Anywhere Worship: Sunday, November 22, 2020




Welcome! If you are a first-time visitor,  click here to find out the story behind "Notes of Glory" (helping you to SING and worship musically wherever you are)!

Here's an alphabetical list of all  "Notes of Glory" music with links so that you can revisit your favorite hymns/songs. 

Complete "Notes of Glory" Song List

TO LISTEN TO MUSIC

Look for the SoundCloud audio player window found below the information provided for each song.  Click on the white arrow in the orange circle.


IF YOU ARE LISTENING/VIEWING ON A MOBILE DEVICE OR TABLET

If given an option on your mobile device, click "LISTEN IN BROWSER" (rather than "Play on SoundCloud") on the audio player windows so that you stay on this page and can sing along using the printed lyrics.



This is our third and final week of gratitude-themed music, just in time for your Thanksgiving celebration!




PRELUDE
(to help you enter into a spirit of worship)

Chorale Prelude on "Nun Danket Alle Gott" (Now Thank We All Our God)



Music by Georg Friedrich Kauffmann, based on the chorale by Johann Crüger

Psalm 136:26
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
___________________________

During the Reformation era in church history, congregational singing in the vernacular was very important, and many new German chorales (hymns) were composed for this purpose. Another new type of composition during this period was the chorale prelude, a work written for organ that was based on a chorale melody. One possible purpose for these chorale preludes was to help the congregation get used to the melody of a new chorale before actually singing it, so that when it was introduced during the church service, worshippers would think to themselves, "I've heard that before" and would sing more confidently.

In that spirit, here is a prelude on Johann Crüger's chorale "Nun danket Alle Gott" ("Now Thank We All Our God") which was originally composed for organ but is played here on piano. This chorale prelude was composed by George Friedrich Kaufmann (1679-1735), a Germany Baroque-era composer and organist who wrote primarily sacred music and was a contemporary of Johann Sebastian Bach.  Kauffmann, in fact, was the primary contender for the position of Kapellmeister (musical director) of Leipzig, Germany until Bach applied for the same position in 1723 and was given the job.  

May this jubilant chorale prelude prepare your ears so that you are ready to sing along with "Now Thank We All Our God," our first Thanksgiving hymn for this week.
HYMNS FOR YOU TO SING ANYWHERE
(transposed to easily singable keys!)

Now Thank We All Our God

Words by Martin Rinkart, Translation by Catherine Winkworth, "Nun Danket" hymn tune by Johann Crüger

Isaiah 12:4-6
And you will say in that day:

“Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.

“Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
____________________

Giving thanks in a time of disease and political turmoil...sound familiar?

German Lutheran pastor Martin Rinkart (1586-1649) could be considered an expert on the subject.  Ministering in the provincial town of Eilenberg, Saxony during the Thirty Years' War, Rinkart experienced his fair share of hard times, and then some, according to the One Year Book of Hymns.

Martin Rinkart was the only remaining pastor in the walled city of Eilenberg. Many refugees fled there, hoping the walls would protect them, only to see the city overrun by Swedes, Austrians, and Swedes again. In the crowded conditions, hunger and plague were chronic problems. In 1637, Rinkart conducted funerals for five thousand residents--including his wife.  So when he prays, "Guide us when perplexed" (in the second stanza of "Now Thank We All Our God"), he is not talking about minor inconveniences. 

It was during this overwhelmingly difficult period that Rinkart penned "Now Thank We All Our God," a hymn which not only reminds us to give thanks in the first stanza, but lists specific reasons why we should do so.  The second stanza is a prayer, asking God to bless us with a sense of His presence and His peace every day.  The final stanza is a version of the Gloria Patri, praising God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The melody for "Now Thank We All Our God" was written by Johann Crüger (1598-1662), a German composer with West Slavic heritage who included the hymn in the most widely used German hymnal of the 17th century, Praxis pietatis melica (Practice of Piety in Song). English scholar Catherine Winkworth translated "Now Thank We All Our God" into English, as she did for many other Reformation-era hymns. 

You can read a transcript of a delightful discussion of this history of "Now Thank We All Our God"  featuring Dr. Ligon Duncan, Dr. Derek Thomas, and Dr. Bill Wymond here.  Here's a magnificent arrangement of this hymn by John Rutter featuring choir, orchestra, and organ.  
Public domain. Courtesy of hymnary.org





Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mothers' arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
to keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
of this world in the next.

All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son and Spirit blest,
who reign in highest heaven
the one eternal God,
whom heaven and earth adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come



Words by Henry Alford, Music by George J. Elvey

Psalm 95:1-3
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.

Matthew 13:24-30
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds[a] among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’
____________________

England has a long history of regional autumn festivals in which local residents celebrate a successful harvest together. Singing and praying was often a part of these events, and Anglican clergyman Henry Alford (1810-1871) who served a number of rural communities during his years of ministry, wrote "Come Ye Thankful People, Come" in 1844 as a reflection of this spirit of gratitude to God for another year of provision. 

The first stanza refers to the literal harvest, the bringing in of crops, and of thankful people raising "the song of harvest home." (Harvest Home was one of the names given to autumn festivals in England). The second, third and fourth stanzas shift focus, emphasizing the idea of the harvest of souls, and anticipating the second coming of Christ. Alford borrows language from the parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30, and 36-43) and in the final stanza, the phrase "free from sorrow, free from sin"  brings to mind Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." 

The tune for "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" titled "St. George's Windsor" was written in 1856 by George J Elvey (1816-1892), an English organist and composer.  Elvey was appointed organist at St. George's Chapel, Windsor in 1835 (hence the title of the tune) and continued in that post until 1882. Elvey wrote many sacred musical works, and also is the composer of "Diademata," the majestic tune written for Matthew Bridges' hymn text "Crown Him with Many Crowns." 

Here's a video showing a congregation (presumably in the UK), accompanied by organ, singing  "Come. Ye Thankful People, Come" with great joy.  And here's another upbeat version from the Abilene Christian University Alumni Chorus. 

Public domain. Courtesy of PDhymns.com





Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home;
all is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
for our wants to be supplied;
come to God's own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God's own field,
fruit as praise to God we yield;
wheat and tares together sown
are to joy or sorrow grown;
first the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take the harvest home;
from the field shall in that day
all offenses purge away,
giving angels charge at last
in the fire the tares to cast;
but the fruitful ears to store
in the garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home;
gather thou thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
come, with all thine angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest home.

We Gather Together



Words: Traditional Netherlands folk hymn, translated by Theodore Baker. Music: Nederlandtsch Gedenckclanck, arr. Edward Kremser

1 Corinthians 15:57-58
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
____________________

"We Gather Together" is well known to many as a lovely hymn traditionally sung at Thanksgiving, particularly in the United States. However, it actually originated in the Netherlands during the late 16th century as a song celebrating a decisive military victory and a statement of religious freedom. Today it reminds us of God's protection and his victory over evil and death. 

The long and complex Eighty Years' War (or Dutch War of Independence, 1568-1648) was primarily fought between Dutch forces and Spanish occupiers under Philip II of Spain, In 1597, at the Battle of Turnhout, English and Dutch soldiers under the leadership of Prince Maurice of Orange defeated the Spanish military in a decisive victory.  Dutch Protestants had been unable to "gather together" to worship freely under Spanish Catholic rule, so the theme of the hymn "We Gather Together" created soon after this battle had a special poignancy.  Although the authorship of the text is uncertain, many scholars suggest it may have been written by Adrianus Valerious (c. 1575-1625), a poet who was known for his poems on the theme of Dutch Independence. 

The hymn text, paired with a traditional Dutch folk tune originally known as "Ey, wilder den wilt" was first published in a 1626 collection by Valerius titled Nederlandtsch Gedenckclanck.  In 1877, Viennese composer Eduard Kremser (1838-1914) arranged the song for men's chorus, and this arrangement helped bring the hymn, well-loved in the Netherlands for centuries by this time, to a wider audience. In 1894, American musicologist Theodore Baker (1851-1934) translated the hymn into English and titled it "Prayer for Thanksgiving," which led to its inclusion in many hymnals as a Thanksgiving song. 

Here's a stunningly beautiful arrangement by contemporary composer Stephen Paulus of "We Gather Together," as recorded by the Dale Warland Singers.  Also, here's a lovely rendition by the London Festival Orchestra and Chorus. 

Also, you might enjoy reading this recent piece by writer Madelyn Canada which contemplates this hymn in the light of this challenging season in which our ability to gather together is limited. The author provides encouragement as we move forward with hope in Christ alone.


Public domain. Courtesy of hymnary.org





We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens his will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side; all glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!


POSTLUDE
(to send you forth with joy!)

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing



Words by Robert Robinson, Nettleton hymn tune, solo piano arrangement by Jan Sanborn

1 Samuel 7:12
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.”
_____________________

We sang "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" during the weekend of June 14 (click on the link to read more about this hymn). Here it is again as we give thanks to God, the fount of every blessing...this time ""Come, Thou Fount" is presented as a piano solo (with a slightly Copland-esque feel) arranged by Jan Sanborn. 

Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it
mount of God's redeeming love.

Here I find my greatest treasure;
hither by thy help I've come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
bought me with his precious blood.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee:
prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.

BONUS: Here is a playlist of all the music from today's post.  


If you'd like to enjoy more Thanksgiving and harvest-themed music (perhaps for some singing around the table before your Thanksgiving feast!),  here are the playlists from the past two weekends.
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Thursday, November 12, 2020

Music for Anywhere Worship: Sunday, November 15




Welcome! If you are a first-time visitor, click here to find out the story behind "Notes of Glory" (helping you to SING and worship musically wherever you are)!

This is the second of three posts featuring music with the theme of giving thanks.




Here's an alphabetical list of all  "Notes of Glory" music with links so that you can revisit your favorite hymns/songs. 

Complete "Notes of Glory" Song List

TO LISTEN TO MUSIC

Look for the SoundCloud audio player window found below the information provided for each song.  Click on the white arrow in the orange circle.


IF YOU ARE LISTENING/VIEWING ON A MOBILE DEVICE OR TABLET

If given an option on your mobile device, click "LISTEN IN BROWSER" (rather than "Play on SoundCloud") on the audio player windows so that you stay on this page and can sing along using the printed lyrics.




PIANO PRELUDE
(to help you enter into a spirit of worship)

Thanks for the Blessings You Give

Piano solo by John Turner

Ephesians 1:3-6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 


Count Your Blessings



Words by Johnson Oatman, Music by Edwin Othello Excell

Psalm 9:1-2
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 40:5
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.
____________________

"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, I will recount all your wonderful deeds."  These words were written by the psalmist David thousands of years before American hymn writer Johnson Oatman (1856-1922) also wrote a song describing the uplifting practice of taking the time to enumerate God's many faithful acts. "Count Your Blessings" reminds us to bring our cares, worries, and concerns to God who has proven his lovingkindness toward us over and over. 

Johnson Oatman was an ordained Methodist minister who also worked in the mercantile business with his father in New Jersey. He had a deep passion for ministry but discovered in his mid-30s that he his giftedness lay more in the area of songwriting rather than preaching, and wrote 5,000 hymns over the course of his lifetime, including "No, Not One" and "Higher Ground" (featured here on July 19).  "Count Your Blessings" first appeared in the 1897 publication Songs for Young People and quickly became popular both in America and abroad, particularly in England, where British evangelist Gipsy Smith noted, "men sing it, boys whistle it and women rock their babies to sleep to it." The melody for "Count Your Blessings" was composed by publisher and "singing evanglist" Edwin Othello Excell (1851-1921) who played a significant role in American hymnody of the late 19th and early 20th century, arranging and composing melodies for many well-known hymns as well as contributing to or editing some 90 hymnals and song books.

If this hymn is new to you, here's a fantastic recording from the International Songsters of the Salvation Army that you will really enjoy!  




When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. [Refrain]


Give Thanks
Words and music by Henry Smith

Psalm 118:1-6
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”

Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
_____________________

As a young seminary graduate in 1978, Henry Smith, Jr. (b. 1952) was struggling: he was looking for work while also suffering from a degenerative eye condition, which made jobs hard to come by.  During that period, the pastor of the church Smith attended shared 2 Corinthians 8:9 with him: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." The verse took root in Smith's soul, and he crafted the song "Give Thanks" as a result. 

Smith began to perform the song in local churches, and "Give Thanks" became increasingly popular during the early 1980s, with "author unknown" often listed on the credits. It was eventually published by Hosanna! Music and was first recorded by Christian singer Don Moen.  Today, credit for the song's lyrics and music are often incorrectly attributed to Moen or others, but it was Henry Smith who created the song in a spirit of thanksgiving during a challenging season of his life. 

Here's the original Don Moen 1986 recording of Smith's" Give Thanks," if you'd like to hear a version with singing and instruments.  








CCLI Song #20285
© 1978 Integrity's Hosanna! Music
For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 419384



Verse
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given
Jesus Christ His Son

Chorus
And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us
And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us

Ending
Give thanks

CCLI Song # 20285
Henry Smith
© 1978 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music, David C Cook))
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 419384

Let All Things Now Living 



Words by Katherine Kennicot Davis, "Ash Grove" hymn tune

Psalm 95:1-3
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.

Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
____________________

Most often in the history of hymnody, words (poems) come first, then music.  In the case of the beloved Thanksgiving hymn "Let All Things Now Living," the text was composed specifically to fit a well-known Welsh folk melody ("Ash Grove").  Katherine Kennicott Davis (1892-1980) was an American pianist, composer, and educator who had studied music in Paris under Nadia Boulanger and attended Wellesley College as well as the New England Conservatory of Music. She taught music at Wellesley as well as several other schools and composed over 600 musical works for the choirs at these schools. In 1939, using the psudonymn "John Cowley," Davis wrote the lyrics of "Let All Things Living" to match "Ash Grove," the traditional Welsh tune which first appeared in print in 1802. The text echoes Psalm 150, calling all creatures to praise their Creator, and also references God's provision in Exodus 13:21, "and the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and night." 

If this hymn is new to you, here's a video recording with congregation and instruments of "Let All Things Now Living" from St. German's Church in Cardiff, Wales (a special location since the tune for this hymn originated in Wales).  Here's another version for choral ensemble and instruments from Lifeway Worship. 

Here's the tune!  And the lyrics are listed below the SoundCloud window which features the piano accompaniment so that you can sing along.  Because the words are still under copyright but the tune is in public domain, I wasn't able to share both at the same time, but you will most likely recognize the "Ash Grove" melody as it's very well-known. 








Let all things now living
A song of thanksgiving
To God the Creator
Triumphantly raise
Who fashioned and made us
Protected and stayed us
Who still guides us on
To the end of our days
God's banners are o'er us
His light goes before us
A pillar of fire
Shining forth in the night
Till shadows have vanished
And darkness is banished
As forward we travel
From light into light

His law He enforces
The stars in their courses
The sun in His orbit obediently shine
The hills and the mountains
The rivers and fountains
The deeps of the ocean
Proclaim Him divine
We too should be voicing
Our love and rejoicing
With glad adoration
A song let us raise
Till all things now living
Unite in thanksgiving
To God in the highest
Hosanna and praise


CCLI Song # 4445649
Katherine Kennicott Davis
© 1939. Renewed 1966 E.C. Schirmer Music Company (Admin. by ECS Publishing Corporation)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 419384

POSTLUDE
(to help send you forth with joy!)

Grateful

Piano Solo by Mark Hayes

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


Here's a complete playlist with all the music from today's post.
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