O'er the Hill and O'er the Vale

Highlights

• Epiphany carol
• minor mode a cappella anthem
• poetic text

Description

J. William Greene has arranged his original carol tune (Tre reges) for SATB choir, a cappella. The composer masterfully alternates texture, often scoring several voices as accompaniment to the melody. The minor mode melody effectively conveys the mystery of the text by John Mason Neale, wherein the three kings journey through Persia, across the Tigris, through Syria and Edom, before arriving at the humble birthplace of the "Peasant-King."

"He is God ye go to meet Therefore incense proffer: He is King ye go to greet; Gold is in your coffer: ... Therefore now, against the day, In the grave when Him they lay, Myrrh ye also offer."

This anthem is a welcome addition to the Epiphany repertoire. It fittingly displays the theme and mood of this solemnity which is often lost in the "Christmas crunch."

An version for unison or 2-part choir is also available.