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Composer
Carson P. Cooman
Text Richard Leach (adapt. from a 5th cent. Orthodox hymn ascribed to St. Anatolius)
Voicing Two-part treble chorus, keybd.
Lectionary usage Christmas
Price $2.00 (U.S.)
Length Released 6/18
Catalog no. 405-216
Difficulty Mod. easy
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Description
Richard Leach’s Christmas text is adapted from a 5th century Orthodox hymn. Carson Cooman’s simple, musette-like setting for treble voices makes this a carol especially suited to children and youth choirs.
Anthem text
Jesus, gift of God,
here are gifts for you:
angels bring their song,
heavens bring their star;
magi, gold, and spice,
shepherds, joy and awe.
Jesus, alleluia!
Jesus, gift of God,
here are gifts for you:
earth gives you its cave,
animals their crib;
Marygives her strength,
Jseoph gives his care.
Jesus, alleluia!
Jesus, gift of God,
here are gifts for you:
We will breing our hearts,
bring the weight they bear,
lay their burdens down,
lift your easy yoke.
Jesus, alleluia!
-Richard Leach, 1993
(adapt. from a 5th cent. Orthodox hymn ascribed to St. Anatolius)
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Review
"Three short stanzas of a hymn by Richard Leach, which he adapted from a fifth-century Orthodox text, are cast in a strophic setting. The first two verses proceed without interruption, while the introduction serves as a bridge to the final verse that brings in the second voice for the first time. Cooman adopts an off-kilter joviality in the extended tonality, yet its stable consonance does not pose a challenge for learning notes. The treble of the accompaniment is in two voices throughout with the unison line doubling the top voice of the accompaniment. The lower voice in the third verse merely doubles the lower voice of the accompaniment, thus voices have ample aural preparation for their part. With only eight measures of musical content for the singers, this anthem could be taught quickly to singers of all ability levels. The accompaniment favors piano, although sensitive adaptation to the organ could also be effective." AAM Journal, Nov. 2020
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