This edition was prepared by Barry Johnston — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Hollis
Staff Notation • Sacred
Preview
0
0
2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · Barry Johnston
Preview
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Free weekly email
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
Hollis by Oliver Holden — Lyrics
My soul, come meditate the day,
And think how near it stands,
When thou must quit this house of clay,
And fly to unknown lands.
And you, mine eyes, look down and view
The hollow, gaping tomb;
This gloomy prison waits for you,
Whene'er the summons come.
O could we die with those that die,
And place us in their stead,
Then would our spirits learn to fly,
And converse with the dead:
Read full lyrics
About Hollis
Oliver Holden's setting of My soul, come meditate the day is a contemplative SATB anthem in English. The music opens with a stark, almost unaccompanied melody, soon joined by the other voices in close harmony, creating a sense of profound reflection. The text, a meditation on mortality and the soul's journey, is treated with solemnity and weight. As the verses progress, the harmonic language becomes richer, building towards moments of hopeful transcendence. Holden's skill lies in crafting a piece that is both textually faithful and musically engaging, allowing the choir to explore the profound themes of life, death, and the afterlife with dignity and reverence. It is a powerful exploration of spiritual introspection.
