Selah Songs of Rejoicing

Yesterday I received a Christmas present (let's see, "On the third day of Christmas, my publisher sent to me..."). It is their newest hymn collection: "Selah Songs of Rejoicing" and includes a hymn I wrote some years ago, called "Vain Our Lives and Small Our Strivings" based on a passage from Ecclesiastes.

There are 267 selections altogether, and among the authors and composers you will find familiar names such as: Mary Louise Bringle, Margaret Clarkson, Carl Daw, Ruth Duck, Timothy Dudley-Smith. Sylvia Dunstan, Rusty Edwards, A Fedak, Fred Pratt Green, Gracia Grindal, Roy Hopp, Hal Hopson, Richard Leach, Jane Marshall, Alice Parker, Joy Patterson, Richard Proulx, James Quinn, William Rowan, Thomas Troeger, Rae Whitney, and Brian Wren.

It is quite a collection!

A New Christmas Carol - Sing Glory! Gloria!

Sing Glory! Gloria! Glory! Gloria!
(The Humble Shepherds Up High On The Hillsides)

Text: John A. Dalles, 2011
Tune: PAVLOVIC*
Meter: LMD

The humble shepherds up high on the hillsides,
Who watch and who wait through the long, lonely night,
Have seen the angels; have heard their fair voices,
Their glad songs of glory and echoes of light!
Sing Glory! Gloria! Glory! Gloria!
Gloria! Gloria! Jesus is born!
The humble shepherds up high on the hillsides
Sing Gloria! Gloria! Jesus is born!

The stars above us who whisper God loves us,
Who shine and who sparkle and bring us delight,
Have seen the angels; have heard their fair voices,
Their glad songs of glory and echoes of light!
Sing Glory! Gloria! Glory! Gloria!
Gloria! Gloria! Jesus is born!
The stars above us who whisper God loves us
Sing Gloria! Gloria! Jesus is born!

The busy people who live in big cities,
Who hurry and worry in fear and in fright,
Have seen the angels; have heard their fair voices,
Their glad songs of glory and echoes of light!
Sing Glory! Gloria! Glory! Gloria!
Gloria! Gloria! Jesus is born!
The busy people who live in big cities,
Sing Gloria! Gloria! Jesus is born!

The friends who gather in all kinds of weather,
To say “Merry Christmas” and mean what they say,
Have seen the angels; have heard their fair voices,
Their glad songs of glory and echoes this day!
Sing Glory! Gloria! Glory! Gloria!
Gloria! Gloria! Jesus is born!
The friends who gather in all kinds of weather,
Sing Gloria! Gloria! Jesus is born!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

Permission granted for one-time use in worship.

(Please let me know if your congregation sings this carol!)

Premiere Performance of "Babe of Bethlehem Draw Near" at Mary, Queen of the Universe

The call came in from Bill Pitcher, who is the director of the Basilica Choir at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. He wanted me to know that they were presenting the premiere performance of an anthem I wrote called "Babe of Bethlehem Draw Near" with music composed by Wm. Glenn Osborne. And that I was invited to attend.

It was such a joy to be there last evening for "Christmas with the Basilica Choir". The Basilica Gift Shop held an open house beforehand and Judy was able to find several new pieces for the Nativity scene that was begun for her by her grandmother. Mimi and Papa came with us and we found a nice place to sit near the organ where we could see Glenn at the console while he accompanied the choir and have a nice side view of them, the orchestra, and director Bill.

There was a goodly gathering of people there--Bill had said that these concerts usually have about a thousand in attendance and last night he told us that he thought it was a larger audience than any other Christmas concert they have presented.

The choir (eight voices, two of each part: soprano, alto, tenor and base) were wonderful and brought the sounds of the season to our hearts. Among their selections were two by John Rutter, about whom I have posted Christmas musical praises in the past. All of the music was outstanding in every way, with selections ranging from "O Magnum Mysterium" to their finale ("O Holy Night") and an encore that had everyone misty-eyed: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".

And it was a thrill to hear "Babe of Bethlehem Draw Near" presented for the first time. I had been with the choir when they had their initial singing of it, a week or so after Glenn composed the music. As you would guess, they are not only marvelous voices but also marvelous sight-readers. So even there in the rehearsal room, the beauty of Glenn's music shined through. Even more, the beauty of hearing the music in the Sanctuary of the Basilica.

In short, it was a very delightful evening.

Thanks Dr. Bill, for calling to invite us to hear the anthem's premiere presentation! What a special way to mark the Advent season!