This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Hear O heavens
Staff Notation • Sacred, Verse anthems
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Hear O heavens by Pelham Humfrey — Lyrics
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: …
I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
Ah sinful nation, … a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters:
they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger.
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
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About Hear O heavens
The striking opening of this anthem for SATB voices immediately captures the gravity of the text. Pelham Humfrey crafts a powerful setting of Isaiah's prophetic pronouncement, employing dramatic word-painting to convey the divine disappointment and a call for repentance. The music mirrors the text's emotional arc, moving from a stern accusation to a tender invitation for reconciliation. As the text progresses, the composer offers moments of sublime beauty, particularly in the comforting assurance that sins can be washed clean. The SATB voicing allows for rich harmonic colour and contrapuntal interest, making this a compelling choice for choirs looking to explore the expressive potential of English sacred verse anthems.
