Tag: SATB (no splits)

Requiem IV: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

This is the fourth movement of the Requiem. Other movements can be found here:

I Introit
II Kyrie
III Sanctus and Benedictus

V Agnus Dei
VI The Darkness is as Light
VII Lux Aeterna

SATB and Organ

c. 7’15”

In this movement, an unaccompanied verse of singing is followed by an Organ Interlude based on the opening melody.

There a fully choral version of this movement with all three verses, which can be found here.

Performed by Avon Chamber Choir with guest singers, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022. Organ: Isaac Powell

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
‘Come unto me and rest;
lay down, thou weary one, lay down
thy head upon my breast.’
I came to Jesus as I was,
weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting place,
and he has made me glad.

Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)

If you would like to perform the whole Requiem or individual movements, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.

O Morning Star

SATB

c. 2’30”

Commissioned by Church House Publishing as one of the seven ‘O’ Antiphons

O Morning Star,
splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:
Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death.

O Oriens, the ‘O’ Antiphon for 21st December

Lullaby, oh, Lullaby!

SATB

c. 3’20”

Performed by the University of Bristol Church Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2023

Flowers are closed and lambs are sleeping,
Lullaby, oh lullaby,
Stars are up, the moon is peeping,
Lullaby, oh lullaby.

While the birds are silence keeping,
Lullaby, oh lullaby,
Sleep, my baby, fall a-sleeping,
Lullaby, oh lullaby.

Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

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.

Let Every Knee Bend

SATB

c. 2’45”

Let every knee bend before thee,
O greatness of my God,
so supremely humbled in the Sacred Host.

May every heart love thee,
every spirit adore thee,
every will be subject to thee!

Margaret Mary Alcoque (1647-1690)

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.

Karitas habundat

SATB with Alto Solo

c. 2’15”

Performed by Avon Chamber Choir and directed by Esther Bersweden, 2026

Karitas habundat in omnia,
de imis excellentissima super sidera
atque amantissima in omnia,
quia summo regi osculum pacis dedit.

Love abounds in everything,
From the lowest depths to the highest stars,
And is loving to all,
For the supreme King gave a kiss of peace.

Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179)
Translation by Carol Anne Perry Lagemann

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.

I Saw Three Ships

This is the version for SATB (accompanied). If you would like to see the version for SSA (accompanied), please click here.

SATB and Piano/Organ

c. 4′

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

I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Our Saviour Christ and His Lady,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Our Saviour Christ and His Lady,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the Angels in Heav’n shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And all the Angels in Heav’n shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Traditional

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 So Loved the World

This is an arrangement of the setting by John Stainer (1840-1901).

SATB

c. 5’30”

Commissioned by Joe Cryan and St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, for performance alongside Stainer’s Crucifixion

Performed by the Choir at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, directed by Joe Cryan, 2024

God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth in Him,
should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:16-17

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.

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.

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.