Stephen Paulus - You Shall Have a Song

The Birmingham Chamber Chorus in their concert on Nov. 7, 2010, "A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance", Terre Johnson, Conductor; Beth McGinnis, Organist.
From the Program Notes:
Dr. Betty Sue Shepherd, who served on the faculty of Samford University for 50 years, also served as organist for Vestavia Hills Baptist Church for 38 years. In 2006 she resumed a battle with cancer that had been dormant for many years. As her health diminished, the church sought to honor her with a new piece of music, and with the help of the Charles O. Stephens Fund, commissioned renowned composer Stephen Paulus to write an anthem through which the choir and congregation could rejoice over her many years of faithful and excellent service. The composer eagerly approached the task, and it was determined that verses from Isaiah 30 would be used, with the title "You Shall Have a Song". The resulting work features a role-reversal of sorts, with the organ frequently playing a melodic role, and the choir offering a harmonic accompaniment. The verses chosen for the piece offer pertinent descriptions of Dr. Shepherd's service as a piano teacher and as organist at the church, with references to the voice of the teacher, the sound of the pipe, and the mountain of the Lord. You shall have a song and gladness of heart.
You shall have a song and you shall weep no more.
Behold the name of the Lord!
He will surely be gracious to you, behold the voice of the Lord.
You shall have a song, as in the night when a holy feast is kept.
And gladness of heart as when one sets out to the sound of the pipe
to go to the mountain of the Lord.
You shall see your teacher and you shall have a song.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying
"This is the way. Walk in it!"
You shall have a song and you shall weep no more, (Behold the name of the Lord,)
Your eyes shall see and your ears shall hear
saying "This is the way." (Behold the name of the Lord!)
Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
You shall have a song and gladness of heart.
You shall have a song and you shall weep no more.
And upon every lofty mountain and every high hill
the light of the sun will be sevenfold.
You shall have a song and gladness of heart.
You shall have a song.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• choral
• sacred
• Stephen Paulus