Ring Out, Ye Bells! (2021) - 3¾'
A Christmas Hymn
for SATB Choir and Organ
COMPOSER'S NOTE
African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar’s reverent Christmas hymn is eloquently expressed in this joyous and accessible setting for SATB chorus and organ.
THE TEXT
Ring out, ye bells!
All Nature swells
With gladness at the wondrous story,—
The world was lorn,
But Christ is born
To change our sadness into glory.
Sing, earthlings, sing!
To-night a King
Hath come from heaven's high throne to bless us.
The outstretched hand
O'er all the land
Is raised in pity to caress us.
Come at his call;
Be joyful all;
Away with mourning and with sadness!
The heavenly choir
With holy fire
Their voices raise in songs of gladness.
No, be not still,
But with a will
Strike all your harps and set them ringing;
On hill and heath
Let every breath
Throw all its power into singing:
Christ is born!
from Christmas Carol by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)