A vous sans autre $7.77
SSA or TTB Choir

A renaissance masterwork prepared for performance by M Ryan Taylor.

Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake! (PDF)
TTBB acappella
Words by Eliza R. Snow, Music by M Ryan Taylor

     "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!

Sheet music:

• 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.

On Bethlehem’s Silent Plain (PDF)
TTBB acapella
Words Anonymous
Music by M Ryan Taylor

     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.

• WhereisHe.pdf

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.