Tag: Sacred

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, splits up to SSATB

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.

Away in a Manger

SATB

c. 2’15”

Recorded virtually by Esther Bersweden, Alex Scott and Isaac Powell, 2020

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.

Anon. (19th-century American)

Carols of Our Time

Published By Encore Publications in July 2023, this anthology contains Esther’s setting of Away in a Manger.

Carols of Our Time

Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in Majesty

SATB

c. 2’15”

Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in Majesty
before he suffered death upon the cross:
give us grace to perceive his glory,
that we may be strengthened to suffer with him
and be changed into his likeness,
from glory to glory;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Collect for the Sunday before Lent

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.

Adam lay ybounden

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

SATB and Organ

c. 2’05”

Adam lay ybounden,
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter
Thought he not too long.

And all was for an apple,
An apple that he took,
As clerkes finden written
In their book.

Ne had the apple taken been
The apple taken been;
Ne had never our lady
A-been heavene queen.

Blessed be the time
That apple taken was,
Therefore we moun singen
Deo gratias!

15th Century

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.

Adam lay ybounden

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

Unison Upper Voices and Organ

c. 2’05”

Performed by the Choristers at St Barnabas, Oxford, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2025

Adam lay ybounden,
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter
Thought he not too long.

And all was for an apple,
An apple that he took,
As clerkes finden written
In their book.

Ne had the apple taken been
The apple taken been;
Ne had never our lady
A-been heavene queen.

Blessed be the time
That apple taken was,
Therefore we moun singen
Deo gratias!

15th Century

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.

Ave Maria

SATB, splits up to SSAATB

c. 4′

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

Ave Maria, gratia plena
Dominus tecum;
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.
Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee;
Blessed art thou amongst women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Traditional

Carols As We Wait

This anthology is a collection of carols suitable for Advent, all written by women.
It contains Esther’s setting of Ave Maria.


Published by Encore Publications in 2025

Carols As We Wait