Forest Refuge Music Studio
Santiago de Chile
tel (011-56) 222-166-360
ForestRefuge@mi.cl
Camino del Ayuntamiento 2114
La Dehesa
Santiago
ph: (56)-222-166-360
ForestRe
A Song of Ascent
A Song of Ascent
Based on Psalm 126 & Philippians 3:13-14 Text & Music: John Ridgway Walker
5th Sunday of Lent - RCL year C
Composed for the 80th Anniversary Celebration of The Carol Morgan School of Santo Domingo
And dedicated to the missionary vision of Dr. Barney Morgan and Mrs. Carol Morgan whose faithful labor of love has shaped the lives of many.
The scriptural subtitle of this Psalm is “A Song of Ascents”. It is possible that the fifteen psalms known as the “Songs of Degrees or Ascents” were sung by the caravans of pilgrims going up to attend the annual feasts at Jerusalem. It is equally plausible that the title refers to the music or the manner of using it.
Text
When the Lord restored our home in Zion, we were like them who dream
From our depths, our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy:
Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them!”
The Lord has done great things!
And we rejoice
Like streams in the desert,
The Lord restores our life.
And those who go out weeping, come home with shouts of joy.
They bore a seed for sowing and covered it in faith.
In darkness it was growing. Now sheaves are in its place
Those who sow in tears will reap with joy
Now none of this is our own doing, but one thing I know
If we leave behind our tears and sorrows, God will nourish the soul.
From exile to deliverance
From the dark, to life and light
Hope restored, our dreamed renewal
Brings us home to God aright
Then will they say among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them!”
The Lord can do great things!
So, we rejoice in the darkness as we grow
For the Harvest knows
What we sow, we’ll reap in joy!
- A Song of Ascent
An antiphonal choral setting with organ accompaniment designed to put together with a minimum of rehearsal time.
Camino del Ayuntamiento 2114
La Dehesa
Santiago
ph: (56)-222-166-360
ForestRe