This is a much loved song by Sr Suzanne Toolan. There are probably many reasons why this is so, but it has many flaws I’m afraid. A big problem is the range of the thing – low Bb to a high F. We often play it without the capo (ie 3 semitones down) but while we hit the high notes we can’t scrape up the low. I heard this mentioned as a good song for children by someone who should have known better and was appalled. The verses are also very difficult to fit as each picks which notes it will favour and the assembly usually gets lost.
The text is available here. The sheet music can be purchased at GIA.
Interestingly, Toolan agrees that the song should not work.
Toolan is aware that some don’t care for the song, but she takes criticism in stride. She has wondered about its popularity. “It’s a hymn that really shouldn’t work for the congregation. It’s too low. It’s too high. I often ask myself: Why does it work so well, then? I think it’s the scripture. The scripture is so strong.”
The scripture is great, sure and the crescendo thrilling, but is it doable – not really. Perhaps we like to kid ourselves we can hit those notes. Here’s a pretty attempt. My backing is more uptempo (and in the original key).
We manage it by cheating, ha ha. I’m an alto and I sing the verses, then my daughter, a soprano, takes over for the chorus. (She and I met you and had a nice chat just before the APMN conference in Perth started last year.)
Lovely to hear from you again and I like your idea.
Geoff
It was a great pleasure to meet you and so many other eminent people!