This moving anthem, composed by Randall Thompson in 1949, has the best shiver-inducing organ accompaniment! I just love it, and I’m excited that our local choir will be singing it at our June concert.
Randall Thompson (1899-1984) was an American composer who taught music at Harvard, among other places. He’s known especially for his choral music.
The words, based on 2 Samuel 23:3-4, are:
He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds;
as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
Alleluia.
Sounds like spring to me! This version is performed by the Rutgers University Choir. The video wouldn’t let me embed, but I hope you’ll click on it and enjoy it as much as I do.