Untitled hymn tune - for Advent
  • m_r_taylor
    Posts: 316
    Hello!

    This is a hymn tune I wrote. PDF and string quartet playthrough included (different keys, sorry). I am currently working on a text, 7.5.7.5.7.6.7.5 is what I am going with (though it could also be 8.6.8.6.7.6.8.5 or 8.5.8.5.7.6.8.5 or 7.6.7.6.7.6.7.5 or some combination of those!)

    I would welcome any attempts at a text. No guarantee I'd use it, but hey! Can't hurt to have more than one text to the melody. I would like to use it for Advent. But whatever you think this would be good for...
    Thanked by 5CHGiffen M. Jackson Osborn trentonjconn LauraKaz GregoryWeber
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,722
    WOW is that lovely on strings. I really like this a lot.
    Thanked by 1LauraKaz
  • trentonjconn
    Posts: 541
    Lovely. Feels German to me.
  • rich_enough
    Posts: 1,032
    One existing text that might work is "The Sands of Time are Sinking" (7.6.7.6.7.6.7.5). It's not clear to me exactly how the words would fit the tune, but this is one of the meters you mentioned and the text has Advent overtones.

    1 The sands of time are sinking,
    the dawn of heaven breaks,
    the summer morn I've sighed for,
    the fair sweet morn awakes;
    dark, dark hath been the midnight,
    but dayspring is at hand,
    and glory, glory dwelleth
    in Emmanuel's land.

    2 The King there in his beauty
    without a veil is seen;
    it were a well-spent journey,
    though sev'n deaths lay between:
    the Lamb with his fair army
    doth on Mount Zion stand,
    and glory, glory dwelleth
    in Emmanuel's land.

    3 O Christ, he is the fountain,
    the deep sweet well of love!
    The streams on earth I've tasted,
    more deep I'll drink above:
    there to an ocean fullness
    his mercy doth expand,
    and glory, glory dwelleth
    in Emmanuel's land.

    4 The bride eyes not her garment,
    but her dear bridegroom's face;
    I will not gaze at glory,
    but on my King of grace;
    not at the crown he gifteth,
    but on his piercèd hand:
    the Lamb is all the glory
    of Emmanuel's land.
    Thanked by 3M. Jackson Osborn m_r_taylor GregoryWeber
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,150
    Alas, while the above text is quite good, it is iambic, while the tune is not.
    Thanked by 1rich_enough
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,722
    MRT— I think I found a mistake in your score: I was playing along and the bass note at the end of the second stave sounded wrong. Comparing against your (excellent) recording, it appears the bass plays an A, not a G, which sounds better and matches the first stave as well.
    Thanked by 1m_r_taylor
  • m_r_taylor
    Posts: 316
    Thank you!

    Indeed, it's trochaic and spondaic - which makes it slightly more difficult to set to text since lines cannot begin with articles. It lends itself better to direct address and the imperative mood.
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,722
    This is FAR from a perfect text, but I wanted to give it at least a few minutes thought. I more than welcome anyone else here running with it and turning it into something better:

    Come Thou, long-expected Jesus,
    For we pine Thine healing.
    Condescend to dwell among(st) us:
    Triune God revealing.
    Lowly mankind sighs, oppressed,
    Bound in sin, lies wasted—
    Hear the cries of those who seek Thee
    Man's salvation sure!

    Naught but sin, the earth is groaning;
    Tarry not Thy coming!
    Ancient Prophets' cries resounding
    Of a Virgin bearing—
    Turn we now unto Thy star;
    Wayward souls illumine!
    Eager, now, we ’wait the herald:
    "Christ, the King, is born!"

    Now, my heart, prepare a welcome
    For thy King is coming!
    Haste! prepare, my soul, as manger
    And mine heart as swadd'ling!
    [alt: Heart, as swaddle wrapping!]
    God forbid! that, unprepared
    You not bid Him no repose!
    Rather: humbled, eager, waiting,
    Bid Him enter in!
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen m_r_taylor
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