This edition was prepared by Edmund Gooch — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Earth, big with empires, to thy reign
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
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Earth, big with empires, to thy reign by Robert Broderip — Lyrics
Earth, big with empires, to thy reign
Submits, great God, its wide domain;
Whate'er this orb's vast bounds confine,
By just possession, Lord, is thine:
That orb amid the wat'ry waste
Thy hands, best Architect, have plac'd,
And bid th'unfathomable deep
Beneath its firm foundations sleep.
Lord, who shall to thy hill ascend?
Who suppliant at thine altars bend,
There joyful find a sure abode,
And own the presence of his God?
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About Earth, big with empires, to thy reign
Robert Broderip's anthem for treble voices (SSB) sets an English text that contemplates God's dominion over the Earth and the qualities required for those who would approach His presence. The lyrics speak of divine creation and the vastness of creation, submitting to God's will. It then shifts to a more personal reflection, asking who is worthy to ascend God's hill and find a home in His presence. The text emphasizes purity of heart and hands, a commitment to truth, and a rejection of idolatry. Such a supplicant, it assures, will receive God's blessings and be cleansed from sin. The music likely reflects the solemnity and grandeur of the text, with the three voices interacting to create a rich devotional atmosphere.
