Tag: SATB (no splits)

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.

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.