May the Angels Lead You

SATB and Organ. An English setting of the In Paradisum text and suitable for funeral services. Very easy. Arlen wrote this for St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville where he is the director of music. At St. Mary's, the choir sings this hymn at funerals as the recessional. Three stanzas, each the same, but a little louder than the one before; a descant on the last - and the effect is stunning. We've included an alternate text, but the original is found in both the Episcopal prayer book as well as the Lutheran. Might also be used for an All Saints service.