On Jordan's banks - Bruch, Max

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"The Hebrew melodies were originally written by Byron and set to the music of traditional Jewish airs by Isaac Nathan. These airs are used by Bruch in his setting for chorus and orchestra (Quote from worldcat.org). The tune goes back to a old German folksong "So weiss ich eins, dass mich erfreut, das pluemlein auff preiter heyde". Details see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%27oz_Tzur such as: The earliest transcription of the Jewish form of the tune is by Isaac Nathan, who set it (clumsily) to the poem "On Jordan's Banks" in Byron's "Hebrew Melodies" (London, 1815)."

⌛ Period → Romantic ◈ Genre → Motets

♯ Key A- major

⁄ Time Signature 4/4

♬ Voicing → SATB

◆ Difficulty

Advanced

↕ Range E-1 – A-5

♩ Tempo andantino (80)

◷ Duration ~2 min 34 sec

¶ Language → English, German

Measures 56

Texture mixed texture

Parts 6

Instruments Orchestra and Organ (ad lib.)

Pages 5

CPDL # 25713

Editor Ian Haslam

Posted 2012-03-06

License CPDL License

♫Pitch Ranges

Soprano

E-4 – A-5

Alto

A-3 – E-5

Tenor

E-3 – A-4

Bass

A-2 – F4

Piano

E-1 – F4

¶Lyrics / Text

On Jordan's banks the Arabs' camels stray, On Sion's hill the false one's votaries pray. The Baal's adorer bows on Sinai's steep, Yet there, even there, O God, thy thunders sleep! There, where Thy finger scorch'd the tablet stone, There, where Thy shadow to Thy people shone, Thy glory shrouded in its garb of fire, Thyself non living see and not expire! O lightning let Thy glance appear Sweep from his shiver'd hand the oppressor's spear! How long by tyrants shall Thy land be trod? Thy temple worshipless, O God!