Brightest and Best
SATB a cappella
This setting of the traditional American folk hymn by Reginald Heber remains close to its shape-note roots. As in traditional shape-note singing, the piece is led off by a single voice, and sung through in 4-note solfege the first verse. Some male and female voices double both the soprano and tenor lines, creating a 6-voice texture out of only four individual parts.
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 a guard the bright angels attend.
Brightest and best of the stars 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 head with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore Him in slumber reclining, Maker and Monarch and Savior of all!
Brightest and best…
Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, Odors of Edom and off’rings divine? Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?
Brightest and best…
Vainly we offer each ample oblation, Vainly with gifts would His favor secure; Richer by far is the heart’s adoration, Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Brightest and best…
for information on obtaining sheet music, please contact me at WalkerWilliamsMusic@gmail.com
SATB a cappella
This setting of the traditional American folk hymn by Reginald Heber remains close to its shape-note roots. As in traditional shape-note singing, the piece is led off by a single voice, and sung through in 4-note solfege the first verse. Some male and female voices double both the soprano and tenor lines, creating a 6-voice texture out of only four individual parts.
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 a guard the bright angels attend.
Brightest and best of the stars 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 head with the beasts of the stall; Angels adore Him in slumber reclining, Maker and Monarch and Savior of all!
Brightest and best…
Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, Odors of Edom and off’rings divine? Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean, Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?
Brightest and best…
Vainly we offer each ample oblation, Vainly with gifts would His favor secure; Richer by far is the heart’s adoration, Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Brightest and best…
for information on obtaining sheet music, please contact me at WalkerWilliamsMusic@gmail.com