O Voice of the Beloved Non-US copyright
Text by Jackson Mason, based on Song of Songs 2 and 8. SATB and organ.
Notes: Although the piece looks at first to be a wedding anthem, it would be very suitable for Advent and Easter. The piece should be flowing but not so fast so that the words are rushed. Try to adhere to all the dynamics which will color the anthem and increase the drama of the words.
O voice of the Belovèd!
Thy bride hath heard Thee say,
“Rise up, My love, My fair one,
Arise and come away.
For lo, ’tis past, the winter,
The winter of thy year;
The rain is past and over,
The flowers on earth appear.
“And now the time of singing
Is come for every bird;
And over all the country
The turtle dove is heard;
The fig her green fruit ripens,
The vines are in their bloom;
Arise and smell their fragrance;
My love, My fair one, come!”
And need Thy Dove’s sweet pleading
to waken prayer and song.
Oh breathe upon our deadness,
Oh shine upon our gloom;
Lord, let us feel Thy presence
And rise and live and bloom.