Upper Voices – Esther Bersweden

Wisdom

SSA and Organ

c. 4’10”

Commissioned by Samantha Price, GSA President 2021-2022 & Headmistress of Benenden School, to mark the Heads’
Conference, Manchester, November 2021

Performed by Benenden School Chapel Choir, directed by Edward Whiting, 2021

While I was still young, I sought Wisdom openly in my prayer.
Before the temple I asked for her, and I will search for her until the end.
From the first blossom to the ripening grape, my heart delighted in her.

My foot walked on the straight path, from my youth I followed her steps.
I inclined my ear a little and received her, I found for myself much instruction.
I made progress in Wisdom; to the One who sent her, I will give glory.

I directed my soul to Wisdom, and in purity have I found her.
With her I gained understanding from the first, therefore will I never be forsaken.
My heart was stirred to seek her, with my tongue will I sing God’s praise.

Ecclesiasticus 51.13a, 13c-17, 20, 21a, 22b

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.

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat

This is the version for SSA. If you would like to see the versions for SATB or SAB, please click here:
SATB
SAB

SSA and Piano

c. 3’50”

The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
“O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!”

Pussy said to the Owl, “You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?”
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-Tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

“Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?” Said the Piggy, “I will.”
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.

Edward Lear (1812-1888)

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.

The Life of the World

SA and Piano/Organ

3’20”

Commissioned by the RSCM for the York Young Voices Festival 2024

Performed by the Choristers at the RSCM Bath Choral Course, directed by Emma Gibbins, 2024. Organ: Nicholas Freestone

Oh the life of the world is a joy and a treasure,
unfolding in beauty the green growing tree,
the changing of seasons in mountain and valley
the stars and the bright restless sea.

Oh the life of the world is a fountain of goodness
overflowing in labour and passion and pain,
in the sound of the city and the silence of wisdom,
in the birth of a child once again.

Oh the life of the world is the source of our healing.
It rises in laughter and wells up in song;
it springs from the care of the poor and the broken
and refreshes where justice is strong.

So give thanks for the life and give love to the Maker
and rejoice in the gift of the bright risen Son.
And walk in the peace and power of the Spirit
till the days of our living are done.

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.

Love Came Down at Christmas

SSA and Piano, splits up to SSAA

c. 2’40”

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

Performed by Redmaids’ High Chamber Choir, directed by Stephanie Harrison, 2018. Piano: Kate Woodman

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and to all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

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.

I Saw Three Ships

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

SSA and Piano/Organ

c. 4′

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

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 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.

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.

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.