Here’s another great chestnut from the 19th century. While most parishes, I suspect, don’t have trumpets and timpani, this rendition (featuring both) gives a thrilling idea of what hundreds of voices raised in song can achieve. (This was our entrance hymn this weekend, and we made do with a simple piano.)
About the author:
Christian Henry Bateman, son of John Bateman, was born Aug. 9, 1813, at Wyke, near Halifax. After studying in the Moravian Church and exercising his ministry there for a time, he became, in 1843, minister of Richmond Place Congregational Church, Edinburgh. He died in 1889.
The words are set to the traditional Spanish melody, “Madrid.”
- Come, Christians, join to sing,
alleluia! amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King:
alleluia, amen!
Let all with heart and voice,
before his throne rejoice;
praise is his gracious choice:
alleluia, amen!
2. Come, lift your hearts on high; alleluia, amen! Let praises fill the sky: alleluia, amen! Christ is our guide and friend; to us he’ll condescend; his love shall never end: alleluia, amen! 3.Praise yet our Christ again: alleluia, amen! Life shall not end the strain; alleluia, amen! On heaven’s blissful shore his goodness we’ll adore, singing forevermore: alleluia, amen!
Given the theme of this Sunday’s readings, and what is happening right now in the world around us, I think it’s an excellent choice for beginning the liturgy.
And today we celebrate...