Awake, Arise
Awake, Arise
Kyle Pederson (2024)
Voicing: SATB double choir
Accompaniment: a capella
Text: Philipp Nicolai, adapted by Kyle Pederson
Wake awake for night is flying,
the watchmen on the heights are crying;
Awake, Jerusalem at last.
Midnight hears the welcome voices
and at the thrilling cry rejoices;
Come forth, O people, night is past.
The Spirit comes, awake;
Your lamps with gladness take;
Alleluia! Prepare you now to meet the Lord,
whose light has stirred the waiting guard.
Earth now hears the watchmen singing,
and in her heart new joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom.
For her Lord comes now all glorious;
The strong in grace, in truth victorious;
Her star is ris'n, her light is come.
O come, you blessed one,
God's own beloved son;
Alleluia! We go until the light we view
where you have bid us rise with you.
Now let all the heav'ns adore you,
and saints and angels sing before you;
Let all creation now unite.
In this hour, so full of wonder,
we stand and join the voice of thunder;
We gather 'round your dazzling light.
No eye has e'er beheld;
No ear has heard the swell;
What joy is ours,
crescendos rise, let earth resound;
Hosannas blend in cosmic sound.
COMPOSER NOTE:
Often hailed as the king of chorales, this iconic hymn was written almost 500 years ago by theologian Philipp Nicolai and popularized by J.S. Bach in the early 1700s. In this reimagined setting, the melody is reharmonized, rhythms are modified, and the text is adapted for a contemporary audience. The timeless message remains, however; we celebrate that God dwells with us--and we lift our voices in praise and wonder.
Commissioned by Transept for inclusion in All is Miracle