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This animated setting of the traditional Easter carol can be performed with piano or organ. It features a sprightly accompaniment and easy but varied choral writing (sometimes in canon, sometimes in augmentation, a fair amount of unison, some four-part).

Voicing: SATB
Accompaniment: Keyboard
Difficulty: Easy

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Text: J.M.C Crum (1872-1958)

Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love whom hate had slain,
Thinking that never He would awake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen;
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

Forth He came at Easter like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain;
Quick from the dead, my risen Lord is seen;
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Thy touch can call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been;
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

In this anthem you may sing the original text by Robert Bridges (italicized) or an updated version of the text (which includes several word changes and the use of “you” instead of “thee,” e.g.). To my ear, the original translation is far preferable, not only because “thee” and “thy” are far more beautiful to sing than are “you” and “your,” but also because the original words are far more effective at text-painting. In “springeth,” for example, creates its own springing articulation, however the updated word, “arising,” nearly begs to be sung legato. In measure 36 the original text stresses the word “never” on two half notes whereas the updated version wastes these longer notes on the unimportant words “he would.” Enjoy exploring the different versions for yourself. Both are available to suit your needs.

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