Tag: Unaccompanied

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.

Down Hill on a Bicycle

SSAATTBB with two Solo Whistlers

c. 4’30”

Commissioned by the National Youth Choir, 18-25

With lifted feet, hands still,
I am poised, and down the hill
Dart, with heedful mind;
The air goes by in a wind.

Swifter and yet more swift,
Till the heart with a mighty lift
Makes the lungs laugh, the throat cry:-
‘O bird, see; see, bird, I fly.

*’Is this your joy, so wild?
O bird, then I, though a child,
For a golden moment share
Your feathery life in air!’

Say, heart, is there aught like this
**In a world of bliss?
‘Tis more than skating, bound
Steel-shod to the level ground.

Speed slackens now, I float
Awhile in my airy boat;
Till, when the wheels scarce crawl,
My feet to the treadles fall.

Alas, that the longest hill
Must end in a vale; but still,
Who climbs with toil, wheresoe’er,
Shall find wings waiting there.

Henry Charles Beeching (1859-1919)

* In the original poem, these two lines read:
‘Is this, is this your joy?
O bird, then I, though a boy,

** In the original poem, this line reads:
In a world that is full of bliss?


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.

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.

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.

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