Come, Holy Ghost (Mark Liversidge)
Music files
| ICON | SOURCE |
|---|---|
 |
File details |
 |
Help |
CPDL #32091:
- Editor: Mark Liversidge (submitted 2014-05-26). Score information: A4, 6 pages, 74 kB Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes: Intended to be sung unaccompanied. Piano reduction available on request to the e-mail address on the composer page.
General Information
Title: Come, Holy Ghost
Composer: Mark Liversidge
Lyricist: John Cosin (1594-1672), based on Veni Creator Spiritus
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Anthem suitable for Pentecost
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
Published: 2014
Description: The repeated theme at the start of each section (three times in the minor key, the last in a major alternative) is intended to evoke a more plainsong mood. Each section then breaks into a variation on that theme, intended to more closely evoke the mood of the words than other well-known versions which are structured into verses; the music is sometimes very literal (for example, each part has seven quavers or crotchets in the sevenfold gifts phrase, and the words "Keep far" have only two parts singing at extremes). It should be sung at an unhurried pace, and in the 4+6/4 bars the emphasis to shape phrases should be applied to the first and fifth beats of each bar.
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire
and lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above
is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
the dullness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
with the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far from foes, give peace at home:
where thou art guide, no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
and thee, of both, to be but One,
that through the ages all along,
this may be our endless song
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.