Messiah - Holden, Oliver

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"A long anthem; for the most part for three parts (Treble-Tenor-Bass), with duets and solos that include a second Treble and a Counter. Words by Alexander Pope, 1712, entitled ''Messiah''. This is a semi-sacred poem, mostly paraphrasing portions of Isaiah's prophecies, but nonetheless including allusions to Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. See Pope's preface, below."

⌛ Period → Classical ◈ Genre → Anthems

♯ Key G major

⁄ Time Signature 2/4

♬ Voicing → SSATB

◆ Difficulty

Beginner

↕ Range G2 – B5

¶ Language → English

Measures 241

Texture mixed texture

Parts 5

Instruments A cappella

Pages 8

CPDL # 38531

Editor Barry Johnston

Posted 2016-02-11

License Public Domain

♫Pitch Ranges

Treble

D4 – B5

Treble 2

D4 – D5

Counter

G4 – G5

Tenor

D3 – B4

Bass

G2 – D4

¶Lyrics / Text

1 Ye Nymphs of Solima! begin the song: 2 To heavenly themes sublimer strains belong. 3 The mossy fountains, and the sylvan shades, 4 The dreams of Pindus, and the’ Aonian maids, 5 Delight no more — O Thou my voice inspire 6 Who touched Isaiah’s hallowed lips with fire! 7 Rapt into future times, the bard begun: (a) 8 A virgin shall conceive, a virgin bear a son! 9 From Jesse’s root behold a branch arise, (b) 10 Whose sacred flower with fragrance fills the skies; 11 The ethereal spirit o’er its leaves shall move, 12 And on its top descends the mystic dove. 13 Ye Heavens! from high the dewy nectar pour, (c) 14 And in soft silence shed the kindly shower! 15 The sick and weak the healing plant shall aid, 16 From storms a shelter, and from heat a shade. 17 All crimes shall cease, and ancient fraud shall fail, 18 Returning Justice lift aloft her scale; 19 Peace o’er the world her olive wand extend, 20 And white-robed Innocence from Heav’n descend. 21 Swift fly the years, and rise the’ expected morn! 22 O spring to light, auspicious babe! be born. 23 See Nature hastes her earliest wreaths to bring, 24 With all the incense of the breathing spring: 25 See lofty Lebanon his head advance, 26 See nodding forests on the mountains dance: 27 See spicy clouds from lowly Sharon rise, 28 And Carmel’s flowery top perfumes the skies! 29 Hark! a glad voice the lonely desert cheers; 30 Prepare the way! a God, a God appears! 31 A God, a God! the vocal hills reply; 32 The Rocks proclaim the’ approaching Deity. 33 Lo, Earth receives him from the bending skies! 34 Sink down, ye Mountains, and, ye valleys, rise; 35 With heads declined, ye Cedars, homage pay; 36 Be smooth, ye Rocks; ye rapid floods, give way;