David Solomons

singer, one-man choir, guitarist and composer

Litany to the Holy Spirit for choir (SATB)

SM-000085470
Composer
David W Solomons
Lyricist
Robert Herrick
Publisher
David W Solomons
Genre
Classical / Choral music
Instrumentation
Mixed choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Scored for
Choir
Type of score
Vocal score
Language
English
Difficulty
Advanced
Year of composition
1996

Description
Litany to the Holy Spirit is a setting of the whole of Robert Herrick's poem by that name
(as opposed to other well-known settings which only use a few verses).
The whole poem deserves to be set in its entirety since the full story can be told and Herrick's feelings come out all the more.
This performance by the Johannebergs Vokalensemble is very effective and moving.

In the hour of my distress,
When temptations me oppress,
And when I my sins confess,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When I lie within my bed,
Sick in heart and sick in head,
And with doubts discomforted,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the house doth sigh and weep,
And the world is drown'd in sleep,
Yet mine eyes the watch do keep,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the passing bell doth toll,
And the Furies in a shoal
Come to fright a parting soul,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the tapers now burn blue,
And the comforters are few,
And that number more than true,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the priest his last hath pray'd,
And I nod to what is said,
'Cause my speech is now decay'd,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When, God knows, I'm toss'd about
Either with despair or doubt;
Yet before the glass be out,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the tempter me pursu'th
With the sins of all my youth,
And half damns me with untruth,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the flames and hellish cries
Fright mine ears and fright mine eyes,
And all terrors me surprise,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the Judgment is reveal'd,
And that open'd which was seal'd,
When to Thee I have appeal'd,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

Poem by
Robert Herrick

Upload date
04 Jan 2012

Price

Sheet music file
12.00 USD
PDF, 230.6 Kb (8 p.)

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