This edition was prepared by Andrew Sims — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Colchester
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
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3 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Colchester by Samuel Sebastian Wesley — Lyrics
1. Come, O thou traveler unknown,
Whom still I hold, but cannot see,
My company before is gone,
And I am left alone with thee,
With thee all night I mean to stay,
And wrestle till the break of day.
2. I need not tell thee who I am,
My misery, or sin declare,
Thyself hast call’d me by my name,
Look on thy hands, and read it there,
But who, I ask thee, who art thou,
Tell me thy name, and tell me now?
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About Colchester
Samuel Sebastian Wesley's hymn tune Colchester is set here for SATB choir. The English text, from John Wesley's hymn O thou who close didst follow me, expresses a profound spiritual struggle. The lyrics describe a soul wrestling with the divine, seeking a deeper understanding of God's nature and love. The anonymous traveller represents God, whom the singer clings to, refusing to let go until their identity is revealed. This setting for four-part choir captures the fervent plea and determination inherent in the text, offering a powerful musical interpretation of this classic devotional experience.
