Psalm 126

You get a pdf of the piano/SATB score and of the vocal score, an mp3 of the recording, and rehearsal tracks mp3s of each of the vocal parts. In Amidons’ book/CD ‘Fifty-five Anthems for the Small Church Choir‘. Mary Alice was leading the Guilford Community Church, UCC service one day when the lectionary included Psalm 126, so she composed this setting for the service.  Peter did the SATB harmonization.  His written piano accompaniment (which was written after they recorded it; Peter improvised the accompaniment in the recording) is inspired by a recording he made of Kathy Bullock’s improvised accompaniment to the piece. (Here is Kathy Bullock leading Mary Cay Brass’s River Singers.)

LYRICS

Psalm 126
Mary Alice Amidon’s adaptation

May those who sow in tears
Reap with shouts of joy, of joy,
When God re-stored the fortunes of Zion,
We were like those who dream;
We were like those who dream.

Then our mouths were filled with laughter, with laughter
And tongues with shouts of joy;
Then it was said among the nations
That God had done great things for us;
For us and we rejoiced.

Those who go out weeping bearing the seed for sowing
Shall come home with shouts of joy
Bringing in their sheaves;
Bringing in their sheaves.