Composed by Terre Johnson. Lent, 21st Century, Folk Song, Hope/Assurance, Lament/Grief/Sorrow. Instrument parts. MorningStar Music Publishers #50-3104. Published by MorningStar Music Publishers (MN.50-3104).
UPC: 688670531040. English.
This text from an old Southern folk hymn is given new original music in this anthem setting for SATB, cello, and piano. The piano part can easily be adapted to organ. The voice parts are accessible. The tenors and basses do sing a verse alone, but in unison to two parts. The sum total makes a sort of contemplative tapestry in which the cello moves in and out of the foreground and so do the voices. Set mostly in C minor, there is a middle section where the chorus sings wordlessly against the cello line and the emphasis shifts to E-flat major. Despite the despair in the text, there is also comfort and reassurance here.