McDonald - "Come, Emmanuel" (St. John's Methodist - Kansas City, MO)

COMMUNION ANTHEM "Come, Emmanuel"
(setting: Mary McDonald, 2022)
Chancel Choir; Dale Morehouse, pianist and conductor
St. John's Methodist - Kansas City, MO
December 4, 2022
Creatively pairing the traditional words from the Latin hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel with the tune O WALY WALY, this beautiful piece moves with rich simplicity as its long, flowing choral textures highlight the pairing of the well-known text and melodies.
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here:
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Desire of Nations, bind all people in one heart and mind.
Bid envy, strife, and sorrow cease: Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
(words from a Latin hymn, tr. John Mason Neale)