The anthem we are preparing for Sunday, June 2, 2013 is a bit of a departure from most of our repertoire. Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled, by Tina English (copyright 1983) has the feel of a 1970's or 80's youth musical, and the incomparable beauty of a text lifted right out of John 14 in the King James Version. We have chosen this piece for this service because the preacher, Dr. Guy Waters, will be bringing a message from the very same text.Tina English, born 1952 is an ASCAP composer with over 200 published choral anthems, musicals, hymns, children's songs and works recorded by the Imperials, Larnelle Harris and other artists. (Shawnee Press)
This particular composition has a very natural flow, which is particularly astounding when you notice that her text is the first 11 verses of John 14, with only minimal changes to the text. But, the text flows right with the music.
While the composition calls for a solo, we have chosen to have our ladies sing in unison the lengthy solo which comprises 28 of the pieces 94 measures (approximately 30% of the piece). The men join in singing with the ladies in unison, "I am the way, the truth and the life." Then in measure 37 the first utilization of vocal harmony is provided by the men on the phrase, "No one comes to the
Father but through me." Primarily a two part piece, four part harmony is used in key areas to emphasize the message of the text. Finally the piece climaxes as the two part choir sings a two part text. The ladies sing, "I am in the Father and the Father in me. The words I speak the Father speaks through me." while the men sing another melody for the text, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me. Finally the choir comes together on the text, "From now on you know Him and have seen Him."
While not the most challenging of choral compositions, truly it has a unique beauty and worshipful feel which the composer has intentionally brought to the piece that truly allows the text to take center stage and proclaim the peace, love, and comfort the Savior surely intended we hear in these words.
Let not your heart be troubled,
you believe in God believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions.
If it were not so, I would have told you,
for I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go to prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to myself.
That where I am there you may be also,
and you know the way where I am going.
I am the way, the truth and the life,
no one comes to the Father but through me.
If you had known me, you would have known my Father.
From now on you know Him and have seen Him.
I am in the Father and the Father in me.
The words I speak the Father speaks through me.
I am in the Father and the Father in me.
He abides in me, and I in Him.
From now on you known Him and have seen Him.
