This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Harpeth
Staff Notation • Sacred
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Harpeth by Alexander Johnson — Lyrics
How tedious and tasteless the hours,
When Jesus no longer I see;
Sweet prospects, sweet birds, and sweet flowers,
Have lost all their sweetness with me.
The mid–summer sun shines but dim,
The fields strive in vain to look gay;
But when I am happy in Him,
December’s as pleasant as May.
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About Harpeth
Alexander Johnson’s Harpeth is a sacred work for treble, solo tenor, and bass voices, sung in English. The text expresses a profound longing for spiritual connection, describing how the absence of Christ renders the natural world dull and unappealing. Only when reunited with Him does the singer find joy and contentment, transforming even the bleakest season into one of warmth and beauty. The composer’s setting captures the devotional intensity of the lyrics, offering a moving reflection on faith and spiritual solace for a choir.
