| Sing the World Round in Advent | |||||||||
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by Rev. Debra Tyree |
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During the month of December we remember the time of waiting for the Messiah and we look for the second coming of Jesus the Christ. We pray for the "Savior of the nations to come." Singing the songs of the world enlarges our understanding of John 3:16 during this season of preparation called Advent. One way to include global songs in your Advent worship is to choose one song to sing throughout the Advent season. There are several global songs that will enhance your singing this Advent that are available from Global Praise. Here are two suggestions for Advent. "Esho hae Probhu/ Come, O Jesus Christ" (Global Praise 3, #129)Composer Bart Shaha has shared this song to lead congregations into the time of waiting and contemplation that fills the season of Advent. The text "Come, O Jesus Christ, make your dwelling with us" lives out our cry for the hope that comes with Christ. Consider using this song as a call to prayer. Other uses include as a call to worship or Introit, within the invitation to Holy Communion, or as a part of the confession. It would be especially effective during evening services or as the opening to a special Advent music service. Consider your service theme and scripture focus each week and move the song placement within the order of worship in ways that opens the congregation to experience the text in a new way each week; call to prayer, prayer response, invitation, confession, and so on. Ask a soloist to sing "Esho hae Probhi" unaccompanied. The vocal range of the printed score should fit most voices, but feel free to pitch the song to a range that is within the singer's comfort level. When working with the soloist, focus first on the opening phrase. Once the tonal center of the first phrase is set, the soloist will find the rest of the song easy to sing unaccompanied. As the soloist learns the song, encourage the singer to take time with the phrases and to experiment with the vocal "glide" technique found in Eastern music as notated by the curve prior to the note head on selected pitches. This is best achieved by singing a very slow glide from the pitch prior to the next pitch emphasizing the glide. A duet can be created by alternating phrases between two singers (or two choirs.) Both singers/choirs should sing the first line together, with each singer/choirs singing one of the next two lines, singing together the last two lines, "Come, set us free…." If a light accompaniment is desired, consider playing the melody on a recorder or wooden flute with a light ring of finger cymbals at the end of each line.
"Savior of the nations, come" (Global Praise 3, #121)Mary Jackson's setting of Martin Luther's text "Savior of the nations, come" is for unaccompanied 3-part voices and four handbells. Stanzas one and two have been set in this arrangement. Additional stanzas are available in most hymnals (UMH #214) and could easily be added. Possible uses include as a call to worship or introit, as a call or response to prayer, or as a song between the reading of the Old Testament and New Testament lessons. Consider singing stanza one before the prayer. Continue softly singing the last two measures, "Come, Savior, come" as an ostinato under the prayer. Sing stanza two at the close of the prayer. If singing the ostinato under the prayer is not a possibility in your setting, consider ringing the open 5th of the D flat and A flat on the handbells as ostinato. The handbells can easily be rung by members of the choir (B4, D flat5, G flat5, & A flat5.) If no handbells are available in your setting, consider using the bell or chimes sound on an electric keyboard. Experiment with the sounds and the octaves you are playing to find a complimentary sound. Once the choir is comfortable singing stanza one in unison, introduce the 3-part harmony by singing it on "loo." Come, O Jesus Christ! Savior of the nations come!The plea for the peace and joy that the Christ child brings has resounded around the world for generations. We pray that you will join your voice with the voices of Bangladesh, Germany, the United States of America and the entire world this Advent. Global Praise resources are available from Cokesbury (1-877-877-8674, Cokesbury.com) or your local dealer. Rev. Debra Tyree serves as Business Manager for Global Praise Program at Global Ministries. She has served in music ministry in local churches for over 30 years and currently serves Bellevue UMC in Nashville, TN, as Minister of Music. Debi is nationally recognized as a clinician and leader in the areas of worship and church music.
Date posted: Dec 01, 2008 |
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Download the PDF(1 page, 59 K)of the music score for "Esho Hae Probhu/Come, O Jesus Chirst."