Bring Us, O Lord God
SATB choral/organ score
PEL2033 SATB-Choir and Organ
A WORK FOR SATB CHOIR AND ORGAN
A new setting of John Donne's prayer, "Bring Us, O Lord God", in which the primary text is taken from one of John Donne’s magnificent sermons in which he contrasts his characterization of the earthly life with his vision of heaven. The movement from earth to heaven is dazzlingly expressed by Halley through harmonic progressions and associations, and fluid ascending and descending lines. Towards the end of the piece Halley has a baritone soloist singing the last verse of Isaac Watts' paraphrase of Psalm 23 ("the sure provisions of my God attend me all my days"). This, combined with elements from earlier sections , brings the piece to a close with the choir, returning to the Donne text "in the habitations of thy glory and dominion, world without end. Amen".
Commissioned for the Choir of Men and Boys at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco.
Video
Notes
Voicing for SSAATTBB
Texts
Bring Us, O Lord God
Words: John Donne and Isaac Watts
Music: Paul Halley (1952 - ) and Trad. American
Bring us, O Lord God,
at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven,
to enter into that gate and dwell in that house,
where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light;
no noise nor silence, but one equal music;
no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession;
no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity;
in the habitations of Thy glory and dominion world without end.
- John Donne
The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
Oh, may thy house be my abode
And all my works be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
And gaze on thee alone;
No more a stranger or a guest,
But like a child at home.
- Isaac Watts
