This is a beautiful piece of music, and the singers do an immaculate job. The soloist, James Stevens, arranged this version, which was taken from the hymn, "Nearer, my God, to Thee." The verse to the hymn was written by Sarah Flower Adams in 1841, and was based on Jacob's dream as found in Genesis 28. The tune we usually associate with this hymn was written by Lowell Mason in 1856. He was an influential musician of early church music, wrote over 1600 hymns, and replaced choirs with congregational singing. He was also an important music educator by introducing singing schools in the New England area, which eventually led to the study of music in public schools. He would be disappointed by the removal of choirs, bands and orchestras in our primary schools today.
A favorite line in the song is "Angels to beckon me/Nearer, my God, to Thee." I know as Sarah Flower Adams knew that there are just that as we battle this world and strive to live as we have been directed. About 2/3 into the song a repeat of a partial chorus "Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee" ends on a very high held note. Listen as that note's timbre changes, though the pitch is held unchanged, amidst many chord changes in the other voices. Enjoy this inspiring piece.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyxXGdG3-Io
In articulo mortis (At the moment of death)
Caelitus mihi vires (My strength is from heaven)
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me.
There let the way appear
Steps unto heaven
All that thou sendest me
In mercy given.
In articulo mortis (At the moment of death)
Caelitus mihi vires (My strength is from heaven)
Deo adjuvante non timendum (God helps, nothing should be feared)
In perpetuum (For ever)
Dirige nos domine (Direct us, O Lord)
Ad augusta per angusta (To high places by narrow roads)
Sic itur ad astra (Such is the path to the stars)
Excelsior
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!
Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone,
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee! *
Or if, on joyful wing
Cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot,
Upward I fly (die),
Excelsior
Caelitus mihi vires (My strength is from heaven)
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me.
There let the way appear
Steps unto heaven
All that thou sendest me
In mercy given.
In articulo mortis (At the moment of death)
Caelitus mihi vires (My strength is from heaven)
Deo adjuvante non timendum (God helps, nothing should be feared)
In perpetuum (For ever)
Dirige nos domine (Direct us, O Lord)
Ad augusta per angusta (To high places by narrow roads)
Sic itur ad astra (Such is the path to the stars)
Excelsior
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!
Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone,
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee! *
Or if, on joyful wing
Cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot,
Upward I fly (die),
Excelsior
