This edition was prepared by Aaron Giles — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
I am the Rose of Sharon
Staff Notation • Sacred, Anthems
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2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
SATB · Rafael Ornes
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I am the Rose of Sharon by William Billings — Lyrics
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,
so is my beloved among the sons.
I sat down under his shadow with great delight,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house,
his banner over me was love.
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples:
for I am sick of love.
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
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About I am the Rose of Sharon
William Billings crafts a vibrant SATB anthem from the Song of Solomon. The music opens with a declamatory statement, reflecting the confident assertion of the solo voice in the text. As the anthem progresses, Billings employs rich harmonies and imitative passages to depict the intimate and passionate language of the lyrics. The choir moves from soloistic lines to full four-part writing, building in intensity as the text speaks of love, delight, and the beloved's approach. The sacred text, drawn from the Bible, speaks of a deep and blossoming love, expressed here through the full sonority of a mixed choir. It is a powerful setting of a rich, poetic scripture.
