Thorny Desert - Walker, William

📄

Preview not generated yet

Loading player...

"Most of the tune is in E minor, though the two staffs end in G Major. A folk hymn, a "camp meeting spiritual song" (Jackson 1952, No. 250). Words by an anonymous author, first published 1805; Walker took the words from ''The Dover Selection of Spiritual Songs'', as he cites in ''Southern Harmony''."

◈ Genre → Sacred

♯ Key G major

⁄ Time Signature 6/8

♬ Voicing → SATB

◆ Difficulty

Beginner

↕ Range G2 – E5

¶ Language → English

Measures 12

Texture mixed texture

Parts 4

Instruments A cappella

Pages 1

CPDL # 50235

Editor Barry Johnston

Posted 2018-06-21

License Public Domain

♫Pitch Ranges

Tr.

G4 – E5

D4 – C5

B2 – E4

G2 – G3

¶Lyrics / Text

:'''''Lexington Collection'', 1805''' 1. Dark and thorny is the desert, Through which pilgrims make their way; Yet beyond this vale of sorrow, Lie the fields of endless day. Fiends loud howling in the tempest, Make them tremble as they go; And the fiery darts of Satan, Often lay their courage low. 2. Oh! young soldiers do you murmur, At the troubles of the way? Do your hearts begin to fail you And your vigor to decay? Jesus, Jesus, shall defend you; He shall lead you to his throne, He that dyed his garments for you, And the wine press trod alone. 3. He whose thunder shakes creation; He that bid the planets roll: He who rides upon the tempest, And whose scepter sways the whole: Round him see ten thousand angels, Ready to receive command; They are ever watching round you, Till you reach the heavenly land. 4. There on flowery fields of pleasure, And the hills of endless rest, Joy and peace, and love, shall ever Reign and triumph in your breast, Who can paint the scenes of glory, Where the ransomed dwell on high; Where the golden harps forever, Sound redemption round the sky. 5. There a million flaming Seraphs, Fly across the heavenly plain; There they sing immortal praises, Glory! Glory! is their strain. But methinks a sweeter concert Makes the crystal arches ring, And a song is heard in Zion, Which the angels cannot sing! 6. See the heavenly host in rapture, Gaze upon this shining band Wondering at their costly garments, And the laurels in their hand. There upon the golden pavement, See the ransomed march along; While the splendid courts of glory Sweetly echo to their song. 7, But methinks, in whiter garments, Some are matching on before; Oh! their crowns, how bright they sparkle, Such as monarchs never wore; "There were shepherds in my pastures, Faithful in my cause below; They shall now, in peace forever, Sit on thrones as white as snow.'' 8. Round them see the lambs they gathered, See the flocks they fed with care; Now they're come to richer pastures; Jesus