Christ, Whose Glory Fills The Skies Non-US copyright
SATB (with divisi) and organ. Text by Charles Wesley.
Notes: A standard of the mainstream parish church choir repertoire, this anthem has not appeared in a collection for a while. Once this anthem is known, it is very satisfying to sing. There are, however, traps for the unwary choir singer, mostly concerning the rhythm. The rhythm of the opening two soprano/alto phrases and the last verse may need to be rehearsed several times as will the lower parts in the repeat. Try to learn the dynamics and expression at the same time as the notes. Some of the entries are difficult to pitch such as the soprano/alto phrase at bar 71, so this may need to be practiced several times. Keep the last verse bright with a well focused ‘Ah’ on the first syllable of the word ‘shining’.
Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only Light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Triumph o’er the shades of night;
Dayspring from on high, be near;
Day-star, in my heart appear.
Dark and cheerless is the morn
Unaccompanied by Thee;
Joyless is the day’s return
Till Thy mercy’s beams I see;
Till they inward light impart,
Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.
Visit then this soul of mine,
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, Radiancy divine,
Scatter all my unbelief;
More and more Thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day.