Come, Let Us Sound with Melody
(SATB & organ) [General]
Grand, dramatic choral work using the exquisite Thomas Campion (1567-1620) poem. Fiery and propulsive organ part. Premiered in 2008 by Greater Middletown Chorale in Newington, Connecticut (Joseph D'Eugenio, music director). Listen and peruse the anthem here.
Come, let vs sound with melody, the praises
Of the kings king, th' omnipotent creator,
Author of number, that hath all the world in
Harmonie framed.
Heau'n is His throne perpetually shining,
His deuine power and glorie, thence he thunders,
One in all, and all still in one abiding,
Both Father and Sonne.
O sacred sprite, inuisible, eternall
Eu'ry where, yet vnlimited, that all things
Canst in one moment penetrate, reuiue me,
O holy Spirit.
Rescue, O rescue me from earthly darknes,
Banish hence all these elementall obiects,
guide my soule that thirsts to the liuely Fountaine
Of thy deuinenes.
Cleanse my soule, O God, thy bespotted Image,
Altered with sinne so that heau'nly purenes
Cannot acknowledge me, but in thy mercies,
O Father of grace.
But when once thy beames do remoue my darknes,
O then I'le shine forth as an Angell of light,
And record, with more than an earthly voice, thy
Infinite honours.
Thomas Campion (1567-1620)