Tag: Sacred

God is our Refuge

SATB, splits up to SSAATTB

c. 4’20”

Commissioned for Patrick Laban

Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2024

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Come and see what the Lord has done. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth, he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Psalm 46:1-3, 8-10
Colossians 3:12

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

God is Enough

SATB, splits up to SSAATBB

c. 4’40”

Commissioned for Raymond Warren and in memory of Roberta Warren, for a service of Choral Evensong celebrating 50 years of the Organ Scholarship at St Paul’s Church, Clifton

Performed by the University of Bristol Church Choir alumni, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022

Let nothing disturb you, 
Let nothing frighten you, 
All things are passing. 
God never changes. 
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing. 
God is enough.

St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

God be in my Head

This is an arrangement of the setting by Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941).

This is the version for SATB. If you would like to see the version for SSAA, please click here.

SATB

c. 2′

Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2025

God be in my head,
And in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes,
And in my looking;
God be in my mouth,
And in my speaking;
God be in my heart,
And in my thinking;
God be at mine end,
And at my departing.

Richard Pynson’s Horae, 1514

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

God be in my Head

This is an arrangement of the setting by Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941).

This is the version for SSAA. If you would like to see the version for SATB, please click here.

SSAA

c. 2′

Commissioned by the Music Department at Redmaids’ High School, Bristol

Performed by the Redmaids’ High School Chamber Choir, directed by Stephanie Harrison, 2021

God be in my head,
And in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes,
And in my looking;
God be in my mouth,
And in my speaking;
God be in my heart,
And in my thinking;
God be at mine end,
And at my departing.

Richard Pynson’s Horae, 1514

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

Father, we thank thee

SATB

c. 2’10”

Performed by Esther Bersweden, Alice Leonard, Josh Hutchinson and Liam Leonard, 2024

Father, we thank thee for the night,
and for the pleasant morning light;
for rest and food and loving care,
and all that makes the day so fair.

Help us to do the things we should,
to be to others kind and good;
in all we do, in work or play,
to grow more loving every day.

Rebecca J. Weston (1835-1895)

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

Do Not Be Afraid

SATB with Soprano Solo, splits up to SSAATBB

c. 3’30”

Performed by the University of Bristol Church Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022

Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

You are precious and honoured in my sight, and I love you.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

Isaiah 43: 1b, 2, 4a, 5a

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

Creator of the Stars of Night

SATB and Organ

c. 5′

Commissioned by Huw Morgan and Redland Green Choir, Bristol

Creator of the stars of night,
Thy people’s everlasting light,
O Jesu, Saviour of us all,
Regard thy servants when they call.

Thou, grieving at the bitter cry
Of all creation doomed to die,
Didst come to save a ruined race
With healing gifts of heavenly grace.

Thou camest, Bridegroom of the bride,
As drew the world to evening-tide,
Proceeding from a virgin shrine,
The Son of Man, yet Lord divine.

At thy great name, exalted now,
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow,
And things in heaven and earth shall own
That thou art Lord and King alone.

To thee, O holy One, we pray,
Our judge in that tremendous day,
Preserve us, while we dwell below,
From every onslaught of the foe.

All praise, eternal Son, to thee,
Whose advent sets thy people free,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Spirit blest, forevermore.

Amen.

Latin, Tr. J. M. Neale (1818-1866)

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

This is the version for SATB (unaccompanied). If you would like to see the version for Upper Voices and Organ, please click here.

SATB, splits up to SSATB

c. 3′

Performed by the University of Bristol Church Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2019.

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 ev’ry nation,
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver;
Born a child and yet a king;
Born to reign in us for ever;
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.

Charles Wesley (1707-88)

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

This is the version for Upper Voices and Organ. If you would like to see the unaccompanied SATB version, please click here.

S (with descant) and Organ

c. 3’30”

Performed by the Choristers at St Barnabas, Oxford, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2024. Organ: Martin Payne

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 ev’ry nation,
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver;
Born a child and yet a king;
Born to reign in us for ever;
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.

Charles Wesley (1707-88)

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

Celtic Prayer

SATB

c. 2’15”

Performed by the University of Bristol Church Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2018

God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking.

God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping.

God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my soul,
God in my heart.

God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber,
God in mine ever-living soul,
God in mine eternity.

An ancient Celtic prayer, from the collection Carmina Gadelica

If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.