Choir Anthems H - O

Hallelujah

Here At Thine Altar, Lord

I was glad

Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring

Lord Bless You And Keep You, The

Lord is my Shepherd, The

O Sacred Guest

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My beloved spake

Hallelujah Chorus (from Messiah) by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Notes
The most famous movement in Messiah is the “Hallelujah” chorus, which concludes the second of the three parts. The text is drawn from three passages in the New Testament book of Revelation:
  • And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6)
  • And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)
  • And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)
In many parts of the world, it is the accepted practice for the audience to stand for this section of the performance. Tradition has it that King George II rose to his feet at this point. Royal protocol has always demanded that whenever the monarch stands, so does everyone in the monarch’s presence. Thus, the entire audience and orchestra stood too, initiating a tradition that has lasted more than two centuries. It is lost to history the exact reason why the King stood at that point, but the most popular explanations include:
  • As was and is the custom, one stands in the presence of royalty as a sign of respect. The Hallelujah chorus clearly places Christ as the King of Kings. In standing, King George II accepts that he too is subject to Lord of Lords.
  • He was so moved by the performance that he rose to his feet.
  • He arrived late to the performance, and the crowd rose when he finally made an appearance.
  • His gout acted up at that precise moment and he rose to relieve the discomfort.
  • After an hour of musical performance, he needed to stretch his legs!
Duration
TO FOLLOW

Forces required:
Organ and Choir, preferably with trumpet

Text
Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ:
and He shall reign for ever and ever.
KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS.

Music by G. F. Handel (1685-1757) from Messiah
Words from the Book of Revelation

Here At Thine Altar, Lord by Alec Rowley (1892 – 1958)

I was glad by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848 - 1918)

Notes
TO FOLLOW

Duration
TO FOLLOW

Forces required
Double Choir, organ and conductor

Text
I was glad when they said unto me,
we will go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand in thy gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is at unity in itself.

O pray for the peace of Jerusalem,
they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls,
and plenteousness within thy palaces.

Words from Psalm 122 (verses 1 - 3, 6 - 7)

Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring - Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Notes
Bach’s famous anthem from his Cantata 147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, is a favourite anthem at Weddings.

Duration
TO FOLLOW

Forces required:
EITHER Organ and Soprano
OR Organ and Trumpet
OR Organ and Choir

Text
Jesu, joy of man's desiring,
Holy wisdom, Love most bright,
Drawn by thee, our souls aspiring,
soar to uncreated light.
Word of God our flesh that fashioned
with the fire of life impassioned.
Striving still to Truth unknown,
soaring, dying round thy throne.
Words by Martin Jahn (1661), translated by Robert Bridges (1844 - 1930)

The Lord Bless You And Keep You by John Rutter (b.1945)

The Lord is my Shepherd (theme from The Vicar of Dibley) by Howard Goodall (b. 1958)

Notes
TO FOLLOW

Duration
TO FOLLOW

Forces required:
EITHER Organ and Soprano
OR Organ and Choir

Text
TO FOLLOW
O Sacred Guest (Wedding Hymn) by George C. Martin (1844 – 1916)
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My beloved spake by Patrick Hadley (1899 – 1973)

Notes
TO FOLLOW

Duration
TO FOLLOW

Forces Required
Organ and Choir and Conductor

Text
TO FOLLOW
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