Eia, eia, susanni

Karol Jaworski’s anthem Eia, eia, susanni sets an anonymous English text that draws on ancient carols and nativity traditions. The composer’s SATB setting imbues the familiar narrative of Christ’s birth with a sense of wonder and profound joy. The text speaks of a child born from Jesse’s thorn, named Jesus, whose mother is Mary. It declares that through his coming, sorrow is turned to gladness, offering salvation to all who are lost. This is a devotional anthem suitable for a range of church services, capturing both the solemnity and the ultimate triumph of the Christmas story.