To Abraham The Promise Came
Two-Part Equal Treble Voices (Or Children's Choir), and baritone, ideally a cappella. A rustic and lively setting of the sturdy Early American tune that works wonderfully well in canon in an arrangement that doesn't take off into really difficult territory or divide into multiple parts. This is an easy anthem with a fresh (although 19th century) text. A great piece to combining your children's choir with the adults, especially on Christmas Eve.
to Abraham the promise came,
And to his seed forever,
A light to shine in Isaac's line,
By scripture we discover;
Hail, promised morn! The Saviour born,
The glorious Mediator,
God's blessed Word made flesh and blood,
Assumed the human nature.
No royal things, as used by kings,
were seen by those that found him,
But in the hay the stranger lay,
with swaddling bands around him.
The city's name is Bethlehem,
in which God hath appointed,
This glorious morn a Saviour's born,
for him God hath anointed.
On this same night a glorious light
to shepherds there appeared,
Bright angels came in shining flame,
they saw and greatly feared;
The angels said, "Be not afraid,
although we much alarm you,
We do appear good news to bear,
as now we will inform you."
When this was said, straightway was made
a glorious sound from heaven!
Each flaming tongue an anthem sung,
to you a Saviour's given!
In Jesus' name, the glorious theme,
we elevate our voices,
At Jesus' birth be peace on earth,
meanwhile all heav'n rejoices!