• This is the Day - $12 for unlimited copies for your choir.

Text from Psalm 118
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Written for my friend, Brian Manternach, the choral director at Juan Diego Catholic High School.

• Two by Two on UkulelePlay.com

As always, please report performances to mryan@choirworks.com . . . I can’t tell you how much it helps. Thank you!

Mix & Match your Ensembles (a great match for multi-choir programs):

• Solo Voice and Piano
• 2-part Choir and Piano
• SSA Choir and Piano
• SAB Choir and Piano
• SATB Choir & Piano
• Solo Voice and Ukulele

Solo Version:

Contents:

1. A Tree Toad Loved a She Toad
2. Swan Swam Over Sea
3. Betty Botter
4. That Felt!
5. Yellow Butter, Purple Jelly
6. A Flea and Fly
7. Black Bug
8. The Ghosts!
9. Night Light
10. Silly Sally

CHOIRWORKS.COM
mryan@choirworks.com

Watch on YouTube

1st verse : unison
2nd verse : utilizes ‘freeze notes’
3rd verse : melody and descant
short coda

The Text:

I gave my love a cherry without a stone
I gave my love a chicken without a bone
I gave my love a ring that had no end
I gave my love a baby with no crying

How can there be a cherry that has no stone?
How can there be a chicken that has no bone?
How can there be a ring that has no end?
How can there be a baby with no crying?

A cherry when it’s blooming it has no stone
A chicken when it’s pipping, it has no bone
A ring while it’s rolling, it has no end
A baby when it’s sleeping, has no crying

Though this round could be sung by anyone, I wrote it with 3 men in mind, representing the wise men from the east. Chords for ukulele, guitar and baritone ukulele are provided for an optional accompaniment.

Text from Matthew 2:2

Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

• The Moon Songs - SSA.pdf

Individual Songs:

• 1 What Grandpa Told the Children - SSA.pdf
• 2 What the Hyena Said - SSA.pdf
• 3 What the Little Girl Said - SSA.pdf
• 4 What the Miner in the Desert Said - SSA.pdf
• 5 What the Rattlesnake Said - SSA.pdf
• 6 The Strength of the Lonely - SSA.pdf
• 7 What the Man of Faith Said - SSA.pdf

Whimsical, macabre, deeply spiritual: the poetry of Vachel Lindsay has long attracted me for it’s wild variety, lyric sensability and deep emotional impact. Although made famous by such poems as “The Congo” and “General William Booth Marches into Heaven” (the title poems for the two anthologies from which “The Moon Songs” were selected), I have been attracted mainly to his more concise poems “in which the moon is the principle figure of speech.” These poems explore human perspective, Linday’s hypothesis being that “the moon is a mirror” in which we find what we bring. Lindsay wrote many of these moon poems and it was difficult to choose between so many fine poems. In the end, I based my selection on variety, dramatic contrast and a progression towards my own view of the moon, one that is spiritual.

“The Moon Songs” were originally scored as a song cycle for soprano at the request of my friend, Heather Chipman Morrey. They have since been revised, updated and arranged for SSA choir.

The Poems:

Selections from General William Booth Marches into Heaven and The Congo by American poet, Vachel Lindsay.

What Grandpa Told the Children

The moon? It is a griffin’s egg,
Hatching to-morrow night.
And how the little boys will watch
With shouting and delight
To see him break the shell and stretch
And creep across the sky.
The boys will laugh.
The little girls, I fear, may hide and cry.
Yet gentle will the griffin be,
Most decorous and fat,
And walk up to the Milky Way
And lap it like a cat.

What the Hyena Said

The moon is but a golden skull,
She mounts the heavens now,
And Moon-Worms, mighty Moon-Worms
Are wreathed around her brow.
The Moon-Worms are a doughty race:
They eat her gray and golden face.
Her eye-sockets dead, and molding head:
These caverns are their dwelling-place.

The Moon-Worms, serpents of the skies,
From the great hollows of her eyes
Behold all souls, and they are wise:
With tiny, keen and icy eyes,
Behold how each man sins and dies.

When Earth in gold-corruption lies
Long dead, the moon-worm butterflies
On cyclone wings will reach this place -
Yea, rear their brood on earth’s dead face.

What the Little Girl Said

The Moon’s the North Wind’s cooky.
He bites it, day by day,
Until there’s but a rim of scraps
That crumble all away.
The South Wind is a baker.
He kneads clouds in his den,
And bakes a crisp new moon that . . . greedy
North . . . Wind . . . eats . . . again!

What the Miner in the Desert Said

The moon’s a brass-hooped water-keg,
A wondrous water-feast.
If I could climb the ridge and drink
And give drink to my beast;
If I could drain that keg, the flies
Would not be biting so,
My burning feet be spry again,
My mule no longer slow.
And I could rise and dig for ore,
And reach my fatherland,
And not be food for ants and hawks
And perish in the sand.

What the Rattlesnake Said

The moon’s a little prairie-dog.
He shivers through the night.
He sits upon his hill and cries
For fear that I will bite.

The sun’s a broncho. He’s afraid
Like every other thing,
And trembles, morning, noon and night,
Lest I should spring, and sting.

The Strength of the Lonely

The moon’s a monk, unmated,
Who walks his cell, the sky.
His strength is that of heaven-vowed men
Who all life’s flames defy.

They turn to stars or shadows,
They go like snow or dew –
Leaving behind no sorrow –
Only the arching blue.

What the Man of Faith Said

The dew, the rain and moonlight
All prove our Father’s mind.
The dew, the rain and moonlight
Descend to bless mankind.

Come, let us see that all men
Have land to catch the rain,
Have grass to snare the spheres of dew,
And fields spread for the grain.

Yea, we would give to each poor man
Ripe wheat and poppies red, –
A peaceful place at evening
With the stars just overhead:

A net to snare the moonlight,
A sod spread to the sun,
A place of toil by daytime,
Of dreams when toil is done.

Words and Music by M Ryan Taylor
See Malachi 3:3

Refine us, Lord, like silver;
burn all our dross away,
’til we re flect Thine image,
it’s brighter, purer ray.

Refine us, Lord, like silver,
that we might share Thy light
to guide the weary seeker
to respite from the night.

Refine us, Lord, like silver,
and form us by Thy hand
as cups to bear Thy blessings
to ev’ry race and land.

Refine us, Lord, like silver,
as vessels of Thy life
to bear the balm of healing,
and free the world of strife.

• Buckeye Jim (PDF)
• Get on Board Little Children (PDF)
• He’s Got the Whole World (PDF)
• Jolly Old Saint Nicholas (PDF)
• Making Maple Sugar (PDF)
• Mary Had a Baby (PDF)
• Mister Rabbit (PDF)
• My Owlet (PDF)
• Oh Peter Rabbit (PDF)
• Old Hundredth (PDF)
• One Man Shall Mow (PDF)
• Plantation Song (PDF)
• Show Me the Way (PDF)
• The Interval Song (PDF) : A song for practicing and learning the basic intervals of a diatonic scale.
• March of The Three Kings (PDF)
• When the Saints Go Marching In (PDF)
• When Your Potato’s Done (PDF) : This song has a very Caribbean feel to it.
• Yankee Doodle (PDF)

Written by the students of the American Fork Chilren’s Choir

• Fat Monkey
• How Far is it to Bethlehem? (PDF)
• The Mysterious Cat (PDF)

Round for 3 by M Ryan Taylor. Includes optional chords for ukulele and baritone ukulele.

Words:

I’m a giraffe,
A giraffe am I;
When I stand on my toes
my nose bumps the sky.

• Personent Hodie $2
  for 2-part Choir and Hand Chimes

A simple, 2-part processional Christmas Carol with hand chimes. 1-page.

Text:

Personent hodie voces puerulae, laudantes jucunde qui nobis est natus, summo Deo datus, Ideo-o-o, Ideo-o-o, Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo.

On this day earth shall ring with the song children sing To the Lord, to our King, Born on earth to save us; Him the Fa-ther gave us, Ideo-o-o, Ideo-o-o, Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo.

God’s bright star o’er His head, wise men three, to Him led, Kneel they low, by His bed, lay their gifts before him, praise Him and adore Him. Ideo-o-o, Ideo-o-o, Ideo gloria in excelsis Deo.

• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
  for Men’s Choir with Hand Chimes.

This is a derivation of Andrew Hawryluk’s simple, but lovely, arrangement (thank you Andrew!) for men’s choir which was originally released under a creative commons license for redistribution and modification. I needed an arrangement for the priesthood men to sing on our Christmas program this year (2011) and this sounds great with the men and is easy to put together. I’ve made some minor harmonization changes and added hand chimes.

• The 4th of July (PDF)

This words to this song were written by two class members of the American Fork Children’s Choir and then combined. The melody was written in class and then harmonized by me. It was performed at the culmination of our 2010-11 season.

Words:

When King George ruled the thirteen colonies, taxing us unfairly.
We, wanting to be free from tyranny, sent The Declaration.
The British were so angry they declared war and sent the red coats.
Our fathers fought for freedom and they won us our liberation.
This, of course, gives the reason we all cheer on the 4th of July.

Often when I am feeling distressed and am trying to calm my mind, the words of this scripture bring my breathing back to normal:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ~ John 14:27

I was sitting in church one day thinking on these words and the piece that I wrote on them so many years ago, and I thought, “The first section of that would make a nice round.” So, here it is.

1. “Unlikely Company” is a set of five songs (sung two to five at a time) featuring a strange mix of Halloween creatures: the Fay, the Troll, the Frankenstein Monsters, the Banshee and Bug-a-boo.
2. “The Ghost Ship” includes five songs featuring the crew of a Ghost Ship (the Black Pearl, maybe?): the captain, the cook, the first mate, the cabin boy and the navigator.
3. “We’re Back!” includes four songs featuring undead Halloween monsters: the skeleton, the vampire, the mummy and the zombie.

SATB arrangements of these quodlibets are available on this site: Unlikely Company, The Ghost Ship & We’re Back!

These quodlibets were originally available in the “Thirteen for Halloween” songbook which you can get at SongsForTeaching.com. There is also a “Thirteen for Halloween” CD available. These both feature different arrangements of this same Halloween quodlibet. Check out ThirteenforHalloween.com for more fun Halloween music and videos.

• Wondrous Love ($7.77)
  for Baritone (suitable for Unison Choir) and Piano Trio (Violin, Cello and Piano)
  Folk Hymn arranged by M Ryan Taylor
• Wondrous Love Violin Part (PDF)
• Wondrous Love Cello Part (PDF)

About:

Another of my favorite folk hymn/spirituals. Please note the word painting used on the second verse’s ’sinking down.’ The entire arrangement plays back and forth with ‘3 against 2′ rhythms.

Words:

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath Gods righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

And when from death Im free, Ill sing on, Ill sing on;
And when from death Im free, Ill sing on.
And when from death Im free, Ill sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, Ill sing on, Ill sing on;
And through eternity, Ill sing on.

• Wayfaring Stranger ($3.77)
  Medium Voice or Unison Choir, Trumpet and Piano
  Traditional, arr. by M Ryan Taylor
• Wayfaring Stranger Trumpet Part (PDF)

About:

I have long loved this song and arranged it for me and my friend and fellow composer John Newman to perform (sadly, John can no longer play the trumpet). This arrangement is definitely influenced by my father as well, who was always listening to jazz in the car when I was growing up.

Words:

I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger,
A trav’lin through this world of woe;
But there’s no sickness toil or danger
In that bright land to which I go.
I’m goin’ there to see my father,
I’m goin’ there no more to roam;
I’m just a goin’ over Jordan,
I’m just a goin’ over home.

I know dark clouds will gather ’round me,
I know my way is rough and steep;
Yet beautious fields lie just before me,
Where God’s redeemed their vigils keep.
I want to wear a crown of glory,
When I get home to that good land;
I want to shout salvation’s story,
In concert with that bloodwashed band.

I’m goin’ there to see my Savior,
I’m goin there to sing his praise;
I’m just a goin’ over Jordan,
I’m just a goin’ over home.

• Be Strong and of a Good Courage (PDF)
  Words and Music by M Ryan Taylor
  for Unison children’s voices and piano

About:

I wrote this children’s primary song based on the story of Joshua and Caleb. The third verse applies the story personally to the singers. See Deuteronomy 31:6-8 and Joshua 1:6-9. The setting is march-like, which I felt was appropriate to the admonition to ‘be strong and of a good courage.’

Lyrics by M Ryan Taylor:

When Moses sent twelve for report into the promised land,
Ten men returned and gave their word that Israel could not stand,
“For we shall seem as insects against their giant band.”
Then Joshua spoke and Caleb true, “All Canaan’s in our hand.”

[Chorus]
“Be strong and of a good courage; be brave, be true.
The Lord thy God, he will go with you.
Be not afraid, be not dismayed.”
Though storms may wail, you can face the gale,
for the Shield of Faith will see you through.
“Be strong and of a good courage; be brave, be true.”

When Joshua stood on Jordon’s shore and looked on Jericho,
He thought about the trials met since forty years ago;
How Israel found its courage by wand’ring far and near
‘Til Moses said, “The time has come,” and spoke for all to hear, [Chorus]

When I am faced with challenges that seem to hard to bear,
When I am left to stand alone and no one seems to care
I think about my Savior and his Gethsemane,
I feel his gentle arms and hear the Spirit’s urgent plea, [Chorus]

Performances:

Thank you for reporting all performances of this original work to mryan@choirworks.com (performer, venue, date). This information is essential for my yearly grant applications.

I thought this fun little Halloween gem from 1881 was perfect for my children’s choir and prepared a 2-part choral part to go along with the piano part from the original sheet music. You’ll need to download both files.

• When Your Potato’s Done (PDF)

This hymn was in our old hymnbook but was somehow overlooked for the new edition. I’m including it here with one slight change in the lyric, ‘raise my Ebenezer’ to ‘raise my song of gladness’ (for the fact that most people don’t know what an ‘Ebenezer’ is anymore). Enjoy!

“Dracula’s Theme Song” was written to go along with the opening credits of the old Bela Lugosi “Dracula” which uses the famous tune from “Swan Lake.” Usually I don’t go putting words to famous tunes, but one night I was watching this film, close to Halloween, and ‘inspiration’ struck. This is completely tongue-in-cheek; I hope it makes you smile as much as I do when singing it. Please be as melodramatic as possible!

Accompaniment for the original High Voice version:

Accompaniment for Medium Voice:

A renaissance masterwork prepared for performance by M Ryan Taylor.

The boar’s head in hand bear I,
Bedeck’d with bays and rosemary;
I pray you, my masters, be merry,
    Quot estis in convivio.

Caput Apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino.

Although I’ve only included one verse in the sheet music, it may be adapted to contain the additional verses of The Boar’s Heard Carol.

This arrangement is a remnant from an incomplete Christmas children’s opera, Children of the North (based on the story In the Great Walled Country), I began for my master’s project while at BYU. I completed enough for the project, but abandoned the opera when I could see that it was going to be too difficult, as written, for the children’s choir I had intended to perform it. I’d like to go back and compose from this libretto anew someday, starting from scratch, with more realistic expectations for the children.

Other Choral remnants, rearranged, from Children of the North may be found on ChoirWorks.com:

• Sir Christemasse for SSATB Choir and Guitar
• Tyrlow, Tyrloo, Tyrle for SATB Choir and String Quartet
• Then I Was Glad for SSATBB Choir Acappella

There is also a solo, The Terline Tree, from the opera available on my song page from MRyanTaylor.com.

     Pure holiday fun! “The irony here is that even though I wrote this seasonal song all in good fun, I love fruitcake. I’ve had variations I’m not crazy about, so I understand the jokes, but our family’s recipe, which served as the basis for many of the ingredients listed in the song, is absolutely sensational. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without it.” ~ M Ryan Taylor

Ode to a Fruitcake
by M Ryan Taylor

Fruitcake! Fruitcake!
Oh, what a glorious fruitcake!
Nothing quite says, “Merry Christmas, Good Cheer!,”
like a fruitcake.

With raisins, green pineapple, candied orange peel,
an applesauce batter to make a good seal,
the walnuts and hazelnuts, pecans and cherries,
cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves ‘mid dried berries!

Though many may dispute it’s reputation,
the fruitcake is a holiday sensation!
And, though the thought might fill a few with dread,
I proudly declare that the fruitcake is the ultimate queen of quickbread!

Fruitcake! Fruitcake!
Oh, what a marvelous, glorious, beauteous fruitcake!
“Merry Christmas! Good Cheer! Happy New Year!”

American Revolutions Program
Lead Sheets and Song Introductions (PDF):

• 1 The Star Spangled Banner - Sung Acapella
• Stars and Stripes Intro
• 2 Stars and Stripes Forever - Words Only
• Pilgrims Psalms Intro
• 3 Pilgrim Psalms Lead
• Simple Gifts Intro
• 4 Simple Gifts Lead
• Chester Intro
• 5 Chester Lead
• All is Well Intro
• 6 All is Well | Come Come Ye Saints Lead
• Battle Cry of Freedom Intro
• 7 Battle Cry of Freedom | Battle Hymn of the Republic Lead
• Women’s Party Song Intro
• 8 (Part I) The New America
• 8 (Part II) Women’s Party Song Lead
• Liberty Medley Intro
• 9 Liberty Medley Lead
• Flanders Fields Intro
• 10 In Flanders Fields
• The Yankee Doodle Blues Intro
• 11 The Yankee Doodle Blues Lead

The American Revolutions program is based on the album by M Ryan Taylor:

If you’d like to get the additional bonus tracks, Man of La Mancha and The Impossible Dream, you can purchase the compact disc at CDBaby.

About the American Revolutions program:

Join pilgrims, revolutionaries, civil rights activists, suffragettes, abolitionists and veterans through the music that tells their story to make the United States of America a land of unparalleled freedom.

A number of additional songs were inserted in the live version of this program:

• Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho
• How Can I Keep From Singing
• Old Man River
• Man of La Mancha
• The Impossible Dream

• Purple

Accompaniment:

About this song:

This song was a collaboration with a NY 5th grade elementary school class in 2005. The teacher had the children write poems on the theme, “Purple.” I was sent the poetry and compiled a collage of images from the individual works. The result was an ABA form. I took what I thought were the strongest images for the A section. In the center, or B section, since many of the images seemed to conflict, I imagined a debate over the properties of the color purple and wrote the music accordingly.

The song was performed by the students at an assembly.

Words:

Purple is the heat of California in July,
Purple’s in a breezy park, a breezy day of Fall,
In wintertime dark snow is where she longs to be,
In Spring she spouts like lilacs in the meadow.

Purple makes me think of flowers, reminds me of roses.
Like the wind you want to catch it, but its too fast.
Purple is the sound of a flute playing softly.
It’s the sound of fanfares and kings!
Purple is the sound of violins playing.
It sounds like howling wolves!
It sounds like bluebirds!
It sounds like bells!
It sounds like kids laughing on a Spring day.

Purple is the heat of California in July,
Purple’s in a breezy park, a breezy day of Fall,
In wintertime dark snow is where she longs to be,
In Spring she spouts like lilacs in the meadow.

~Text collage adapted from poetry by Beth Dubay’s fifth grade class at Peru Intermediate School, Peru NY 2005 by M Ryan Taylor

This intermediate arrangement of Away in a Manger combines three well known tunes that are commonly associated with this beloved carol. Two tunes are sung in a gentle counterpoint, trading back and forth between the men and the women’s voices, then the third tune takes up the second verse after which the counterpoint returns. The arrangement ends on the peaceful coda generally associated with tune three.

There is also an SSATB arrangement of “Away in a Manger” on ChoirWorks.com. You can also find a full-preview of the work on this page.

The Text:
Away in a manger, No crib for his 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 The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes,
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.

This is a new arrangement of a song I wrote about six years ago (2004) for an album of Thanksgiving songs. It is simple, peaceful. Though I believe its appropriate to express grattitude at any time of the year, it would be a good selection for a service near Thanksgiving.

The Text:

For flowers that bloom about our feet,
For tender grass so fresh, so sweet,
For the song of bird and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father, we thank Thee.

For blue of stream and blue of sky,
For pleasant shade of branches high,
For fragrant air and cooling breeze,
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father, we thank Thee.

For this new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends,
Father, we thank Thee.

This new arrangement is based on a track from of my popular children’s CD, Thirteen for Halloween. It has been keyed up to d-minor to make it more appropriate for children’s voices. Optionally, a training children’s choir can sing the melody in unison, if desired.

Here is the track the arrangement is based on:

The Text:

“Welcome,” said the spi-der,
“Come right in.”
“I’m so glad to have you,
I feel mighty thin.”

“Rest your weary bones,
lay down your pack;
the time has now come
to have a snack!”

~ M Ryan Taylor

Copyright © 2005 M Ryan Taylor / Vocal Works
Please do not post on other websites.

The original version of this piece is in d-minor
and contained sections in which the upper two staves
were accompanied by a consort of instruments. This
edition fills in those instrumental sections with words
(as may have been done by singers of the time),
making the piece suitable for an SSATTB acapella
choir. Meters were simplified, slurs added to melismatic
passages, and dynamics marked. A few words were
shifted to make some timing issues easier. Lastly,
several notes in the third staff were shifted by an
octave to better suit the range of the altos.

This edition was prepared for a Good Friday concert
in 2008 to be performed by Phoenix Rising,
a chamber choir based in American Fork, Utah.

This version of Unto us a Child is Born! is performed ABA. The middle B section is more difficult and will require some experienced singers. This is based on an old chant-like tune, Puer Nobis Nascitur, from a collection published in 1582 called Piae Cantiones (from which we find find carols like In Dulci Jubilo). I have played with the rhythms, the words and the harmonization.

As I wasn’t quite happy with translations I found here, here and here, I borrowed, adapted and added. Here is my collage of the text:

Unto us a Child is born! Comes to earth a stranger;
Ox and lamb their owner know: he’s cradled in th manger.

Of His love and mercy mild, this the Christmas story:
Mary’s meek and gentle child will lead us up to glory!

Alpha and Omega, Thine be this day our chorus;
King of kings, and Lord of lords, now let Thy grace be o’er us.

You can find the vanilla version of this carol on OldFatherChristmas.com

The March of the Three Kings (or La Marche des Rois Mages) is a wonderful traditional tune that has been popular with composers for a long time. Several famous pieces incorporate the 13th century tune. Why hasn’t it become a Christmas singing tradition in English speaking countries? Largely, I think, because there hasn’t been a great, singable translation of the original French words. That is one reason why I first decided to tackle my own translation, which really turned into an original lyrical text back in 2004. I have subtitled this song “a Christmas fantasy” because the events described almost certainly did not happen the way they do in this song, but its great fun!

I used this ‘translation’ in my children’s Christmas songbook, “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem,” and then again when I arranged the piece for The Utah Premiere Brass and Timpanogos Chorale (performed at their Christmas concert in 2005).

This version of The March of the Three Kings is sung acappella in an ABA form. This could be sung by a seasoned group of carolers or an acappella choir (who would shun the thought of singing all three verses the same each time). It is offered in e and g minor, both keys in one file.

I hope you enjoy one of my all-time favorite carols. Ex amore victoria!

Words:

The March of the Three Kings
by M Ryan Taylor
Copyright © 2004 M Ryan Taylor
based loosely on “La Marche des Rois Mages”
sung to the traditional tune

Dawn breaks forth, arising in the east.
A mighty host of heros marches hither.
Dawn breaks forth, they come from out the east,
their armor glinting with the rising sun.
A page boys leads with his trumpet bold,
he sounds a note and my heart is filled with wonder.
“What brings this fierce host to Bethlehem?”
“We seek the Savior of the race of men!”

“Three great kings have led us by that star
you see it brightly though the sun has risen!
Three great kings have led us by that star,
come join our ranks and see this holy child!”
The host moves on bearing chests of gold.
I see the kings with a body guard of paladins.
My heart cries out, “You must go with them,
and find the Savior of the race of men!”

Street by street we pass each rich abode
and each new door holds hope and expectation.
Street by street and looking to the star
we come at last to where its light shines down.
The Son of God lays upon the hay.
The Son of God laid within a lowly stable.
Three kings bow low, here in Bethlehem,
before the Savior of the race of men!

I found this delightful carol text when I was working on my children’s Christmas songbook, “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem,” back in 2004. In this version, the voices imitate the sound of the bells, a la “Ring Christmas Bells" (aka “Carol of the Bells"), while the bass sings the words of the tune. This has a completely different feel, but you get the idea. I love the text; it is somewhat ambiguous and leaves me wondering if it is talking about Old Father Christmas or the Christ Child . . . it could go either way.

The Text:
Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!
Winter .winds are blowing;
Cold the night and snowing;
Children, come and greet me;
Open, I entreat ye!
Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!

Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!
Joyful carols sing ye,
See the gifts I bring ye,
For each boy and maiden
Richly I am laden.
Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!

Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!
See the candles glowing;
Hearts their love are showing!
List to what I’m. telling,
There I’ll make my dwelling.
Ring, bells, ring ding, dong, ding;
Ring ding, dong, ding!

     This peaceful, soulful setting of this beautiful text captures the feel of an Appalachian spiritual.

The Text:
On Bethlehem’s silent plain, the stars shone bright,
While faithful shepherds watched their flocks by night.
And as they watching lay upon the ground,
A Glory came from heav’n and shone around.

The simple shepherds’ hearts were filled with fear:
For lo! an angel stood among them there.
“Fear not,” the Angel said, “Good news I bring,
This night to you is born a Savior King.”

“In swaddling clothes the babe shall be arrayed,
And you will find him in a manger laid.”
And lo! A shining host was with him there
and filled with song of praise the midnight air.

And now on Christmas Eve, when stars are bright,
We sing with joy the song they sung that night;
Glad tidings of great joy Proclaim again;
Of peace upon the earth Goodwill to men.
Good will to men. Of peace upon the earth Good will to men.

He Shall Feed His Flock is one of the lovely solos from Handel’s Messiah that is appropriate for Christmas, Easter or any sacred concert or service focusing on the Savior.

There are two options given of the solo in the original oratorio, this arrangement is based on the one that starts off with an Alto soloist and then, in the second half, a Soprano soloist takes over. I’ve arranged it here for an SATB acappella quartet (though there is no reason a larger choir couldn’t use it).

The arrangement still features the soprano and alto solos (or sections if you desire). I hope you enjoy it.

I found this song in an old collection of folk music some years ago and arranged it for a Phoenix Rising (my chamber choir) ’Harvest’ concert.

The Text:
Maids at morn, grind the good corn
Each in her mill, with a will
In go the oats, wheat and pearly barley
Down, down in a shower falls the flour

Those hands that are strongest
Will find a welcome here
And they who work the longest
Shall have the best cheer

Winding, winding strong, winding all day long
Round, round and round goes the mill
Winding turn about till the meal is out
Must never never never stand still

Though the text of this Hymn is not specific to the Easter season, I really like to program it at that time. Really, it is appropriate for any service of the year; it would even work beautifully for Christmas. This arrangement is an expanded version of the first draft of a commission by soprano, Andrea da Silva. I feel it ‘floats’ during the first half and then grows in intensity til the end.

Text:
Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,
And all the stars in Heaven above;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
And brings to all the world His love.

Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in the flowers of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Thee will I honor, praise and give glory!
Give praise and glory evermore!

About the Arrangement:
     As I was going through this hymn again, preparing to arrange it, I was deeply moved by how rich the text is. I never noticed this before, though I’ve been singing it since I was a child. I think I got used to it before I had a chance to recognize how powerful it really is.  I guess that’s one of the dangers of being exposed to profound things at an early age (not that I would wish away my familiarity with it either).
     I wrote this new arrangement of America the Beautiful for my brother’s church choir.  The setting is fairly simple for the singers, with a piano part that is intended to highlight the thoughtful nature of the text and the natural beauty of the hymn’s forward phrasing.

Read about the history of America the Beautiful at Wikipedia.

The Text:
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

Though the text of this Hymn is not specific to the Easter season, I really like to program it at that time. Really, it is appropriate for any service of the year; it would even work beautifully for Christmas. This arrangement is an expanded version of the first draft of a commission by soprano, Andrea da Silva. I feel it ‘floats’ during the first half and then grows in intensity til the end.

Text:
Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,
And all the stars in Heaven above;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
And brings to all the world His love.

Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in the flowers of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Thee will I honor, praise and give glory!
Give praise and glory evermore!

I released a simple, new harmonization of “Angels we have Heard on High” for SATB quartet (free) on The Old Father Christmas Caroler’s Companion. This version adds an alternation between the men and the women on verses 2 and 4, for a little more variety.

Words:
Translated by James Chadwick

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Refrain

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Refrain

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Refrain

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

Refrain

A simple arrangement of a delightful Spanish carol, A La Nanita Nana, presented here with the original Spanish words (for a translation, visit this site).

About this arrangement:

• SATB with no divisi, so this can be performed by a traditional caroling quartet or a full-sized choir.
• This arrangement goes beyond your typical Christmas in Song arrangement with an alternate 2nd Verse, so the carol can be performed in an ABA pattern. The second verse may be omitted if you wish to keep things simple.
• I’ve included a guitar chord pattern that can be used on each of the verses, even though it is only given on the first and third (to keep it on 2 pages).
• The margins are spaced so you can easily whole-punch it and lay it into a three-ring binder with no page turns.

I felt the inclusion of the guitar was important, though it is optional, it would be great fun to perform this with a seasoned guitarist (just for the joy of it). It has a different character than many of our traditional French, German and English carols, so it would be great for adding a bit of spice to your program or caroling.

This Christmas arrangement combines the Gregorian chant “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” with the Renaissance melody greensleeves for which the words “What Child is This?” were written. I hope and feel this goes beyond a mere medley of tunes; the modality of each enhances the other as well as the combined message.

I’ve set this for intermediate/advanced SSAB choir a cappella. I know this is an unusual combination, but I think very practical. Many SAB choirs are perfectly capable of singing challenging music, but lack the amount of men to do SATB arrangements effectively. Sopranos are usually plentiful. I plan to write more for this kind of choir/quartet in the future.

A quodlibet or ‘what you will’ is a group of songs that can all be sung at the same time. “The Ghost Ship” features five songs featuring the crew of a Ghost Ship (the Black Pearl, maybe?): the captain, the cook, the first mate, the cabin boy and the navigator. The original quodlibet is from a set in my children’s songbook “Thirteen for Halloween” called “3 Quodlibets for a Gaggle of Ghouls". This arrangement of that simple version takes full advantage of the resources of an SATB choir with small semi-choruses or solos. Hope you have fun with it and happy Halloween!

The “Thirteen for Halloween” songbook is available at SongsForTeaching.com. There is also a “Thirteen for Halloween” CD available. These both feature different arrangements of this same Halloween quodlibet.

A quodlibet or ‘what you will’ is a group of songs that can all be sung at the same time. “Unlikely Company” features five songs featuring a strange mix of Halloween creatures: the Fay, the Troll, the Frankenstein Monsters, the Banshee and Bug-a-boo. The original quodlibet is from a set in my children’s songbook “Thirteen for Halloween” called “3 Quodlibets for a Gaggle of Ghouls". This arrangement of that simple version takes full advantage of the resources of an SSATB choir and adds a frame drum for fun. Hope you have fun with it and happy Halloween!

The “Thirteen for Halloween” songbook is available at SongsForTeaching.com. There is also a “Thirteen for Halloween” CD available. These both feature different arrangements of this same Halloween quodlibet.

This arrangement for intermediate choirs may be simplified by leaving out the middle note in the 3-part divisi for both or either the men’s or women’s sections. Schreiner’s melody is treated with an interesting harmonic/contrapuntal background that adds an additional dimension to the piece.

The Text:

Truth eternal, truth divine,
In thine ancient fulness shine!
Burst the fetters of the mind
From the millions of mankind!

Truth again restored to earth,
Opened with a prophet’s birth.
Priests of heaven’s royal line
Bear the keys of truth divine!

Truth shall triumph as the light
Chases far the misty night.
Endless ages own its sway,
Clad in everlasting day.

2-Part Children’s Choir & Piano
Text by Anonymous
Music by M Ryan Taylor

Once there was a snowman,
Who stood outside the door,
He wished that he could come inside,
And run about the floor.
He wished that he could warm himself,
Beside the fire, so red,
He wished that he could climb
Upon the big white bed.

So he called the North Wind,
“Come and help me, pray,
For I’m completely frozen,
Standing here all day.”
So the North Wind came along,
And blew him in the door,
And now there is nothing
But a puddle on the floor!

See additional versions of this song for solo voices at OldFatherChristmas.com. Also includes accompaniment MP3s you might find useful.

Accompaniment by M Ryan Taylor

This piano accompaniment was intended to go along with the second verse of #36 They, the Builders of the Nation in Hymns, published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Words by Henry Baker (1868)
Tune from The Southern Harmony (1835)
arr. M. Ryan Taylor

The King of Love my shep-herd is
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His,
and He is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth,
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.

How oft in foolish paths I’ve strayed,
yet in His Love He sought me,
and on His shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing brought me.

And so through all the length of days
thy goodness faileth never:
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise,
within thy house forever.

Words and Music by M Ryan Taylor

The fruit is sweet. Come taste and see and glorify the Lamb,
For Priesthood keys of faith and love are now restored to man.
Come hear His voice, come hear His word through prophets called again,
Apostles sent to testify and bless the race of men.

The fruit is sweet. Come enter in and make your pathway straight;
Through water follow Christ our Lord, the Keeper of the gate.
All pure and bright, come feel the hands of faith laid on your head;
Accept the Holy Spirit’s gift and by his fire be led.

The fruit is sweet, come, let us rise and go of one accord
To stand and serve on holy ground, the mountain of the Lord.
Come, be endowed with strength and faith. Come, covenant to be true.
Come, enter in and seal yourselves to loved ones old and new.

The love of God is manifest in fruit so white and fair;
The more we feast upon His gifts the more we want to share;
So bless the child, annoint the sick, go spread His word abroad,
And praise the Lamb for sending us the Priesthood of our God.

Words and Music by M Ryan Taylor

Rise up saints in joy and gladness,
Lift your voice in prayer and praise;
Grant the Lord your heart’s thanksgiving,
Thank Him for His love and grace.

Alleluia, Alleluia,
Think on what our God has done,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sending His beloved Son.

Only He could bear the burden,
Only He could take our pain,
Only He could tread the wine-press,
Sweating drops of blood like rain.

Alleluia, Alleluia,
Think on what our God has done,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sending His beloved Son.

Praise Him for His tender mercies,
Praise Him for His healing voice,
Praise and honor, adoration,
He has made our hearts rejoice!

Alleluia, Alleluia,
Think on what our God has done,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sending His beloved Son.

Text by Theodulph of Orleans : Translated by John M. Neale
Music by Gustav Holst (Thaxted)
Paired by M Ryan Taylor

All glory, laud and honor to the Redeemer king!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!
Thou art the King of Israel, thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and Blessed One.

All glory, laud and honor to the Redeemer king!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

The company of angels are praising thee on high,
And mortal men and all things created make reply.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before thee went;
Our praise and love and anthems before thee we present.

All glory, laud and honor to the Redeemer king!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

To thee, before thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise;
To thee now high exalted, our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises; accept the love we bring,
Who in all good delightest, thou good and gracious King.

All glory, laud and honor to the Redeemer king!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

     This was originally written as the finale to a song cycle that I wrote for a good friend of mine in college. It has been extracted from that set and replaced with a solo version. This is the original version. The text, by Vachel Lindsay (one of America’s great poets), celebrates the simple things that we often take for granted and I think would be wonderfully appropriate for a Thanksgiving service or concert. It might even do well for a concert of Americana or Patriotica.

The Words:
The dew, the rain and moonlight
All prove our Father’s mind.
The dew, the rain and moonlight
Descend to bless mankind.

Come, let us see that all men
Have land to catch the rain,
Have grass to snare the spheres of dew,
And fields spread for the grain.

Yea, we would give to each poor man
Ripe wheat and poppies red, –
A peaceful place at evening
With the stars just overhead:

A net to snare the moonlight,
A sod spread to the sun,
A place of toil by daytime,
Of dreams when toil is done.

     This arrangement opens with the first verse as it is seen in the original Southern Harmony of 1835 (transposed down a fourth). Subsequent verses borrow much from the stark sound of the original. This style of song is part of the living “Sacred Harp” tradition (so named after a later collection of these songs) in which people have gathered and sung in for over 150 years. This sacred song of saving grace and the love of Christ is intended to be sung with exuberance.

This arrangement was premiered by Phoenix Rising at the 2008 Comunity Easter Celebration held at the Alpine Tabernacle in American Fork, UT.

The Text:
What wondrous love is this, oh! my soul! oh! my soul!
What wondrous love is this, oh! my soul!
What wondrous love is this! That caused the Lord of bliss,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the lamb I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb, Who is the great “I am,”
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme I will sing!

And when from death I’m free I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And when from death I’m free I’ll sing on!
And when from death I’m free I’ll sing and joyful be,
throughout eternity I’ll sing on! I’ll sing on!
throughout eternity I’ll sing on!

“Wonderful!” is in the Stable (PDF)
SATB with Piano and optional soprano soloist
Words and Music by M Ryan Taylor

The words of this original carol reflect on the symbols of how our Savior is “the bread of life,” “the bright and morning star,” as well as “lamb of God.” Surely Christ will be “our compass and our lantern for all eternity.” This dancing meditation on the Savior’s birth would make a great new Christmas tradition for your choir.

“Wonderful!” is in the Stable (2007) (PDF)
SATB with Celesta or Piano
Words and Music by M Ryan Taylor

A completely new setting of this text by M. Ryan Taylor. The words of this original carol reflect on the symbols of how our Savior is “the bread of life,” “the bright and morning star,” as well as “lamb of God.” Surely Christ will be “our compass and our lantern for all eternity.” This exuberant and joyous carol with a celesta accompaniment (or piano if not available) is for more advanced choirs.

The Text:
In Bethlehem, the “House of Bread,” the “Bread of Life” is found,
For David’s root and David’s branch is born in David’s town.
A manna in our wilderness, a gift that we might live,
Lies in the oxen’s manger, His life to freely give.

Oh “Wonderful!” is in the stable, “Counselor” lies on the hay,
“Mighty God” with sheep and oxen makes His bed on Christmas Day.

The new-forged light o’er Bethlehem guides seekers from afar;
Reveals the place where lightly lies “the Bright and Morning Star.”
His dawning beams with mercy, for He will freely be
Our compass and our lantern for all eternity.

Oh “Wonderful!” is in the stable, “Counselor” lies on the hay,
“Mighty God” with sheep and oxen makes His bed on Christmas Day.

The shepherds bring their milk-white lambs before the “Lamb of God”
And mark the oxen, rams and kine about Him on the sod.
The last and lasting sacrifice, fulfilling all the law,
Without a spot or blemish, lies nestled in the straw.

Oh “Wonderful!” is in the stable, “Counselor” lies on the hay,
“Mighty God” with sheep and oxen makes His bed on Christmas Day.

The wise lay gifts around the child, the Gift of Father’s love,
The Author of salvation’s song, the Bread sent from above.

Oh “Wonderful!” is in the stable, “Counselor” lies on the hay,
“Mighty God” with sheep and oxen makes His bed on Christmas Day.
“The Prince of Peace” lies soft and sweetly on His bed this Christmas Day.

     "This acapella arrangement of “We Three Kings” has some tight harmonies, but nothing that should overwhelm most choirs. The new third verse adds a personal dimension to the lyric, expounding on what we can give to our Savior today.” ~ M Ryan Taylor

The Text:
We three kings of orient are
bearing gifts we traverse afar.
O’er field and fountain moor and mountain,
following yonder star.
O Star of wonder, Star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to the perfect light!

Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain,
Gifts we bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
O Star of wonder, Star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to the perfect light! 

[New 3rd Verse]
Though I cannot be a king,
There are gifts I too can bring:
All my trying, love undying,
my humble offering.
O Star of wonder, Star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to the perfect light!

     This has been a beloved favorite of LDS congregations for well over a century. This setting for unison choir begins thoughtfully and gradually crescendos to the line “We will sing of his goodness and mercy” - joyfully thanking God for His divine guidance and love.

The Text:
We thank thee, O God, for a prophet
to guide us in these latter days.
We thank thee for sending the gospel
to lighten our minds with its rays.
We thank thee for every blessing
bestowed by thy bountious hand.
We feel it a pleasure to serve thee,
and love to obey thy command.

When dark clouds of trouble hang o’er us
and threaten our peace to destroy,
there is hope smiling brightly before us
and we know that deliverance is nigh.
We doubt not the Lord nor his goodness.
We have proved him in days that are past,
and those who will hark to his counsel
will be guided to Zion at last.

We will sing of his goodness and mercy.
We will praise him by day and by night,
Rejoice in his glorious gospel
and bask in its lifegiving light.
Thus on to eternal perfection
the honest and faithful will go,
and all who’ll accept this glad message
will ever this happiness know.

     A quodlibet or ‘what you will’ is a group of songs that can all be sung at the same time. “We’re Back!” features four songs featuring undead Halloween monsters: the skeleton, the vampire, the mummy and the zombie. The original quodlibet is from a set in my children’s songbook “Thirteen for Halloween” called “3 Quodlibets for a Gaggle of Ghouls". This arrangement of that simple version takes full advantage of the resources of an SATB choir and adds some percussion for fun though it could be done without the percussion. Hope you have fun with it and happy Halloween!

The “Thirteen for Halloween” songbook is available at SongsForTeaching.com. There is also a “Thirteen for Halloween” CD available. These both feature different arrangements of this same Halloween quodlibet.

     This is an arrangement of the famous German carol “Wachet Auf Ruft Uns Die Stimme” translated into English (though a verse is given in German for those who would like to use it). This version of the carol mixes snippets of “Good Christian Men Rejoice” with the “Wachet Auf” tune and would work well with either piano or organ for the accompaniment.

The Text:
Wake, awake, for night is flying:
The Watchmen on the heights are crying,
Awake, Jerusalem, arise!

Midnight strikes! no more delaying,
“The hour has come!” We hear them saying,
“He comes; prepare, ye virgens wise.”

Rise up, with willing feet,
Go forth, the Bridegroom meet: Alleluia!
Bear through the night your well trimmed light,
Speed forth to join the marriage rite.

Good Christian men rejoice!
Give all your heart and voice,
for now ye need not fear the grave,
this Jesus Christ is born to save!

Zion hears the watchmen singing,
Her heart with deep delight is springing,
She stands and waits with eager eyes.

Forth her bridegroom comes all glorious,
In grace arrayed, by truth victorious;
Her light burns clear, her star doth rise.

Now come unto your own,
Lord Jesus, God’s own son! Alleluia!
We haste along in glorious song,
And joyful join the marriage throng.

Christ was born for this, Christ was born for this!

     "This piece calls on the pastoral images of Spring, which is described as it miraculously bursts through the Winter’s tide (the title is derived from ancient words used to describe the sound of shepherds piping). The first half is intended to be sung as the choir enters the hall, walking in time to the rhythm of the lone drum (which could be played by a member of the choir). The music is also punctuated by clapping from the choir.” ~ M Ryan Taylor

The Text:
come threshers and dance, come shepherds and play
tyrlow, tyrloo, tyrligh, tyrle
we bring you glad tidings to break the cold clay
tyrlow, tyrle
vines withered, unthawed push the brown earth aside
bursting forth with the violet and gold of May’s pride
tyrlow, tyrloo, tyrle

come gather you threshers and shepherds in band
the work and creation of our dear Lord’s hand
tyrlow, tyrle
the iris and lilies, and roses of spring
fit gifts to bestow on the tiny lording
tyrlow, tyrloo, tyrle

fair shepherds and threshers come dance to the door
with songs and bright music the child to adore
lay tokens of flowers and lambs by his side
to honor the child that will stem winter’s tide
tyrlow, tyrloo, tyrlow, tyrloo, tyrle!

     An acappella setting of the well-known biblical blessing. Though brief, it requires an intermediate-level choir. It would be especially appropriate for the closing of a meeting, due to the nature of the text. Two keys are available to choose from due to the high range in the original key for the altos.

2. Peace I Leave With You (PDF)
SATB acappella, soprano solo
Words from John 14:27
Music by M Ryan Taylor

     "Peace I Leave With You, one of my earlier works, it is still one of my personal favorites. It requires an intermediate choir able to sing acappella, yet is not over-challenging. The text, a verse in John 14, has long been a source of comfort and inspiration to me in times of distress. Christ is the sure source of peace.” ~ M Ryan Taylor

3. How Excellent is Thy Name in all the Earth (PDF)
SATB acappella
Text from Psalm 8
Music by M Ryan Taylor

     "I love this text that ponders the wonders of God’s creation and then states, ‘what is man that thou are mindful of him?’ The work then restates the opening line, ‘O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth.’” ~ M Ryan Taylor

     This folk-like carol is perhaps more well-known in the British Isles where it originated than in the United States. The tune is quite beautiful and rather unique among traditional tunes as it shifts modes mid-tune which gives it a light and floating quality. Though there are many verses to this carol which tell the whole Christmas story, this arrangement focuses on the angelic visitation to the shepherds.

The Text:
Good people all this Christmastide
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending his beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God above this Christmas day.
In Bethlehem upon this morn
there was a blessed Messiah born.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God’s angel did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
“Prepare and go,” the angel said,
“To Bethlehem,” the order came,
“For there you’ll find upon this morn
a princely babe, sweet Jesus, born.”

With thankful hearts and joyful mind
The shepherds went the babe to find,
And as God’s angel had foretold,
They did a Savior Christ behold.
Within a manger he was laid
And by his side the virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of Life,
Who came on earth to end all strife.

     I’ve long been fascinated by the “Three Kings.” We know very little about them. The scriptures call them wise men, not kings, and never mentions their number. Some traditions say there were twelve of them, not three. Perhaps because they are such a mystery is the fact that has inspired such a string of imaginative musings on them and thier character. This poem by Dorothy Sayers I found delightful enough to want to set it.

The Text:
THE first king was very young,
O balow, balow la lay,
With doleful ballads on his tongue,
O balow, balow la lay,
He came bearing a branch of myrrh
Than which no gall is bitterer,
O balow, balow la lay,
Gifts for a baby King, O.

d king was a man in prime,
O balow, balow la lay,
The solemn priest of a solemn time,
O balow, balow la lay,
With eyes downcast and reverent feet
He brought his incense sad and sweet,
O balow, balow la lay,
Gifts for a baby King, O.

     "The fruit is sweet, come taste and see and glorify the Lamb . . . ” This anthem speaks of the many blessings granted us through the restored priesthood with an attitude of gratefulness and humility.

The Text:
The fruit is sweet. Come taste and see and glorify the Lamb,
For Priesthood keys of faith and love are now restored to man.
Come hear His voice, come hear His word through prophets called again,
Apostles sent to testify and bless the race of men.

is sweet. Come enter in and make your pathway straight;
Through water follow Christ our Lord, the Keeper of the gate.
All pure and bright, come feel the hands of faith laid on your head;
Accept the Holy Spirit’s gift and by his fire be led.

The fruit is sweet, come, let us rise and go of one accord
To stand and serve on holy ground, the mountain of the Lord.
Come, be endowed with strength and faith. Come, covenant to be true.
Come, enter in and seal yourselves to loved ones old and new.

     This nearly forgotten tune from “The Southern Harmony” along with accompanying text are both true Christmas gems. Offering “the heart’s adoration” to the Christ Child is the theme of the text, placing us individually in the shoes of the wise men. The arrangement takes this modal tune through a number of unusual, but sparkling harmonies.

The Text:
Hail the blest morn, see the great Mediator,
Down from the regions of glory descend!
Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger,
Lo, for his guard the bright angels attend.
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore him, in slumbers reclining,
Wise men and shepherds before him do fall.
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Eden and offerings divine?
Gems from the mountain, and pearls from the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine?
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Vainly we offer each ample oblation;
Vainly with gold we his favor secure;
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

     Music for an advanced choir’s Christmas program. If you’re looking for something beautiful, upbeat and adventurous, this may be what you’re looking for. I love this text.

The Text:
Nowell, nowell, nowell.
Who is there that singeth so?
‘I am here, Sir Christemasse’
Welcome my lord Sir Christemasse,
Welcome to all both more and lasse,
Come near, nowell! Come near, nowell.

garde beau sire, tidings I you bring:
A maid hath born a child full young,
Which causeth ye for to sing:
Welcome my lord Sir Christemasse,
Welcome to all both more and lasse,
Come near, nowell.

Christ is now born of a pure maid;
In an ox stall he is laid;
Wherefor sing we all at abrayde: Nowell!

Who is there that singeth so? I am here!

     This peaceful, soulful setting of this beautiful text captures the feel of an Appalachian spiritual.

The Text:
On Bethlehem’s silent plain, the stars shone bright,
While faithful shepherds watched their flocks by night.
And as they watching lay upon the ground,
A Glory came from heav’n and shone around.

The simple shepherds’ hearts were filled with fear:
For lo! an angel stood among them there.
“Fear not,” the Angel said, “Good news I bring,
This night to you is born a Savior King.”

“In swaddling clothes the babe shall be arrayed,
And you will find him in a manger laid.”
And lo! A shining host was with him there
and filled with song of praise the midnight air.

And now on Christmas Eve, when stars are bright,
We sing with joy the song they sung that night;
Glad tidings of great joy Proclaim again;
Of peace upon the earth Goodwill to men.
Good will to men. Of peace upon the earth Good will to men.

Watch on YouTube

     "A new arrangement of a setting I wrote for the songbook “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem.” The text is at times peaceful, at times somber, at times joyous, and I have tried to reflect that in the setting. Mary ponders the wonder of Christ’s birth as well as the consequences of His mission. Like “Lee-Loo-Lye” (also on this site), this lullaby is would work for a duet, trio or large women’s choir.” ~ Taylor

The Text:
Sleep, my little Jesus,
On Thy bed of hay,
While the shepherds homeward
Journey on their way.
Mother is Thy shepherd
And will her vigil keep:
Did the voices wake Thee?
O sleep, my Jesus, sleep!

Softly sleep, sweetly sleep, my Jesus sleep!

Sleep my little Jesus,
wondrous baby mine!
Well the singing angels
greet Thee as divine.
Through my heart, as heaven,
the joyous echoes sweep:
“Glory to Jehovah!”
O sleep, my Jesus sleep!

Softly sleep, sweetly sleep, my Jesus sleep!

Sleep, my little Jesus,
While Thou art my own!
Ox and ass Thy neighbors,
Shalt thou have a throne?
Will they call me blessed?
And shall I stand and weep?
Be if far Jehovah!
O sleep, my Jesus sleep!

Softly sleep, sweetly sleep, my Jesus sleep!

     A choral excerpt from “The Other Wise Man” that combines two well-known scriptures, one from the creation account found in Genesis and the other from the musings of David: “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” In the opera, it is sung during an interlude in which thirty years passes for the main characters. In a service it would be appropriate for themes of transience, time, repentance, death, and farewells. I adopted a dance-like meter to symbolize that all things with the Lord are one eternal round.

The Text:
Let there be lights in the firmament of Heaven
Let there be lights to divide the day from the night
Let them be for signs and seasons
Let them be for days and years

usand years in thy sight are as but yesterday when it is past.
A thousand years in thy sight are as a watch in the night.

Watch on YouTube

The Text:
Lee loo lye, Hush, while thy works sing a lullaby.
Seraphim, Cherubim, tell how he came from thy stars;
Heaven’s bright Lord of the stars lies here in my arms!

Bubbling brook, dancing in joyous measure,
Come sing of new hope, sing of life and rebirth,
Sing us a lullaby, of peace upon earth.

Little fire, fill the cold room with thy breath!
Through the trees the breezes quake,
reminded the dear child must die for our sake!

Lee loo lye, Hush, while thy works sing a lullaby.
Seraphim, Cherubim, tell how he came from thy stars;
Heaven’s bright Lord of the stars lies here in my arms!

Bubbling brook, dancing in joyous measure,
Come sing of new hope, sing of life and rebirth,
Sing us a lullaby, of peace upon earth.

     By request: a simple version of this loved hymn for choir and organ. There is a short acapella section for the choir, but if you desire you can have the organist double the choir on their parts.

The Text:
Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I
Have loved long since, and lost awhile!

     The words of this reverent spiritual were inspired by an April 2004 general conference address and based on scriptural texts. The overlying message is one of peace and comfort: that the Bridegroom (Christ) is near, He is even at the door, that we have no need to fear if we will but wait on and for Him, keeping our lamps “trimmed and burning.”

The Words:
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,
Make ready for the coming of the Bridegroom.

See the fig shoot forth branches,
Shoot forth leaves green and tender,
Watch it grow bright and glorious.
Come greet our Lord for summer’s nigh at hand,

Hear His footsteps aproaching,
Hear His footsteps aproaching,
Hear His footsteps aproaching,
The Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
The Bridegroom cometh; summer’s nigh at hand.

For we know that He is near,
He is even at the door,
Yet we have no need to fear
if we keep His oil in store.

See the fig shoot forth branches,
Shoot forth leaves green and tender,
Watch in grow bright and glorious.
Come greet our Lord for summer’s nigh at hand.

Though the earth may reel and shake,
wars and tempest rail the land,
hearts of men turn cold and quake while false teachers band,
if we look to Christ, our guide, firm and steadfast we will stand.

Hear His footsteps aproaching,
Hear His Hear His footsteps aproaching,
The Bridegroom cometh; summer’s nigh at hand.
Make ready for the coming of the Bridegroom.
Keep your lamps . . .

NEW! Piano Reduction for Rehearsal (PDF)

     It is difficult to find Christmas music that focuses on the role of Joseph, Christ’s foster father. That is one of the reasons I chose to set this text, it is a part of the story that is often left out. The other reason is that this it contains one of the first New Testament prophecies concerning Christ, the revelation that Jesus will save his people from their sins. That seems to be what Joseph needed to know at the time. Joseph was perhaps the third convert, after Mary and Martha.

The Text:
. . . Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

     An arrangement of this beloved hymn with optional tenor solo and violin part. The SSA division lasts for most of one verse, while the TTBB division lasts for half a verse. If you have four strong men in your choir, this TTBB section could be sung as a quartet.

 

The Text:
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.
I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.
I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.
I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.

     A favorite hymn of testimony and devotion, perfect for any meeting centering it’s focus on the Savior. This arrangement begins with an ethereal accompaniment and mezzo-soprano solo and builds slowly to an exciting climax. The piano part, while not difficult, is not for a beginner (it switches between triplet and duple divisions throughout the work). However, if your choir is familiar with this hymn, you may only need a couple of rehearsals to put it together.

The Text:
I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives who once was dead.
He lives, my everliving Head.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.
He lives to calm my trou-bled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives to bless me with his love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives;
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives;
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

     A simple arrangement of this well-loved hymn. The choral parts are derived wholly from the original hymn, while the piano takes on a more adventurous role. I chose this hymn for the theme “repentance,” but it would equally compliment themes like “commandments,” “mercy,” “grace,” or “faith.”

The Text:
How gentle God’s commands!
How kind his precepts are!
Come, cast your burden on the Lord
And trust his constant care.

Beneath his watchful eye,
His saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guard his children well.

Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?
Haste to your Heavenly Father’s throne
And sweet refresh-ment find.

His goodness stands approved,
Unchanged from day to day;
I’ll drop my burden at his feet
And bear a song a-way.

     A reverential setting of this hymn for SATB choir and an optional cello part. It starts and ends pianissimo with a grand forte section in the middle: “The flame shall not hurt thee, I design thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.” This arrangement appropriate for any service - the text illustrates perfectly the tender mercies of the Savior.

The Text:
How firm a foundation ye Saints of the Lord
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

When through firey trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

     In this folk-like setting, the singers are asked to make the gentle sound of the scythe harvesting the wheat. While the text is somewhat grim and thoughtful, it is a perfect match for Thanksgiving, a Harvest Celebration or any service that speaks about the parable of the wheat and the tares or the second coming of Christ. The setting is simple/straightforward/thoughtful and features a tenor/baritone solo in the third verse. A good piece to showcase the beautiful/strong qualities of your men’s voices.

The Text:
The fields are all white, the harvest is near,
The reapers all with their sharp sickles appear,
To reap down the wheat, and gather in barns,
While wild plants of nature are left for to burn.

Twill all be in vain, the mountains must flee,
The rocks fly like hailstones and shall no more be;
The earth it will shake, the seas shall retire,
And this solid world will then all be on fire.

Come then, O my soul, and think on that day,
When all things in nature shall cease and decay.
The trumpet shall sound, the angels appear,
To reap down the earth, both the wheat and the tare.

     "Though originally arranged for my own caroling quartet, this would be great for concerts, singing around the neighborhood, or at a church Christmas party. This “Deck the Hall” is spiced up with some fun time signature changes and a dash of kazoos. May be sung by a quartet or full choir (without kazoos if you can’t get 20, but think what fun it would be with).” ~ Taylor

The Text
Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to by jolly,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
While I tell of Yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

     A joyous anthem of thanksgiving. This anthem is easy on the choir but requires a good accompanist. “There are some really fun, exuberant things going on in the piano, reflective of the gratitude I feel for so many things. I’ve always loved this hymn and it was about time I arranged it.” ~ M Ryan Taylor

The Text:
Come, ye thankful people come;
Raise the song of harvest home.
All is safely gathered in
E’er the winter storms begin.
God, our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied.
Come to God’s own temple, come;
Raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field,
Fruit unto his praise to yield,
Wheat and tares together sown,
Unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear.
Lord of harvest grant that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.

Raise the song of harvest home.

     This beloved children’s song of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, arranged for adult SATB choir, is sure to delight young and old members of your congregation alike. Perfect compliment for a Book of Mormon or missionary themed talk or meeting.

This arrangement is offered for Free because the copyright to the original work is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Text:
Book of Mormon stories, which I learned on mother’s knee,
Are about the Lamanites in ancient history.
Long ago their fathers came from far across the sea,
Giv’n this land if they lived righteously.

Samuel the Lamanite, high on the city wall,
Came to warn the people, and repentance was his call.
Arrows could not hit him, for a man of God was he,
And he taught in the land righteously.

Once two thousand sons of God were called to fight the foe.
Marching as an army into battle they did go.
They believed that Christ the Lord their guardian would be.
They had learned they should live righteously.

After Christ was crucified and died for you and me,
He came forth to teach the truth to all who would be free.
Hands were laid upon each child. He blessed them tenderly.
Here they lived in the land righteously.

Lamanites met others who were seeking liberty,
And the land soon welcomed all who wanted to be free.
Book of Mormon stories teach that we must brothers be,
Giv’n this land if we serve Christ our King.
Giv’n this land if we live righteously.

     This intermediate arrangement of Away in a Manger combines three well known tunes that are commonly associated with this beloved carol. Two tunes are sung in a gentle counterpoint, trading back and forth between the men and the women’s voices, then the third tune takes up the second verse after which the counterpoint returns. The arrangement ends on the peaceful coda generally associated with tune three.

The Text:
Away in a manger, No crib for his 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 The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes,
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.

     "Awake to righteousness, be one," is the exhortation in this simple, but powerful setting of Eliza R. Snows hymn.

The Text:
Awake, ye Saints of God, awake!
Call on the Lord in mighty prayer
That He will Zion's bondage break
and bring to naught the tempter's snare.
Awake, ye Saints of God, awake!

With constant faith and fervant prayer,
With deep humility of soul,
With steadfast mind, and heart, prepare
To see th'e ternal purpose roll.
With steadfast mind, and heart, prepare!

Awake to righteousness; be one,
Or, saith the Lord, 'Ye are not mine!'
Yea, like the Father and the Son,
Let all the saints in union join.
Awake to righteousness, be one!
Awake, ye Saints of God, awake!

Free! Optional Violin and Cello parts.

     This arrangement takes the famous tune by Felix Mendelssohn & places a new 18th-century style counterpoint around it. The result is very energetic, perfect for the end (or opening) of a Christmas program. Two sets of words are given with the tune, the traditional "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" and a lesser-known abridgement of William C. Dix's remarkable "As With Gladness Men of Old." Whichever words you use, the effect will certainly be uplifting, though the placement in the program may change.

The Text:
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed it's light,
Leading onward beaming bright;
As with joyful steps they sped
To the lowly manger bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him whom heav'n and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy
Pure, and free from sin's alloy,
All our finest talents bring,
Christ, to Thee, our Savior King,
And, when earthly things are passed,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

A joyous, lilting anthem of thanksgiving (appropriate for any time of the year) that reminds us that "All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above."

The Text:
We plough the fields, and scatter the good seed on the land,
But it is fed and water'd by God's almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.

All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for His love, for all His love!

He is the only maker of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star;
The winds and waves obey Him, by Him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread.

All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for His love, for all His love!

We thank Thee, then, O Father, for all things bright and good,
The seed time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food;
No gifts have we to offer, for all Thy love imparts,
But that which Thou desirest, out humble, thankful hearts.

All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for His love, for all His love!

Free! Parts for optional string orchestra on the third verse.

     A new pairing of this classic hymn with a beautiful, majestic tune by Gustav Holst (prominently featured in his great orchestral work, The Planets). The words and tune are a perfect fit. This version for choir is jubilant, offering a fantastic climax when the piano joins the organ and the sopranos take off on a soaring descant. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any service of praise and gratitude.

The Text:
All glory, laud and honor to thee, Redeemer King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!
Thou art the King of Israel, thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest, the King and Blessed One.

All glory, laud and honor to the Redeemer king!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

The company of angels are praising thee on high,
And mortal men and all things created make reply.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before thee went;
Our praise and love and anthems before thee we present.

All glory, laud and honor to the Redeemer king!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

To thee, before thy passion, they sang their hymns of praise;
To thee now high exalted, our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises; accept the love we bring,
Who in all good delightest, thou good and gracious King.

All glory, laud and honor to the Redeemer king!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!