O'er the Hill and O'er the Vale

- J. William Greene

Use: Christmas
Required Resources: Unison choir, 2-Part Choir, organ
Language: English

J. William Greene has arranged his original carol tune (Tre reges) for unison or 2-part choir with organ or piano accompaniment. The composer incoporates great flexibility, as the piece can be sung in unison throughout, or with the addition of an easy second part. The minor mode melody effectively conveys the mystery of the text by John Mason Neale, wherein the three kings journey through Persia, across the Tigris, through Syria and Edom, before arriving at the humble birthplace of the "Peasant-King."

"He is God ye go to meet Therefore incense proffer: He is King ye go to greet; Gold is in your coffer: ... Therefore now, against the day, In the grave when Him they lay, Myrrh ye also offer."

This anthem is a welcome addition to the Epiphany repertoire. It fittingly displays the theme and mood of this solemnity which is often lost in the "Christmas crunch."

An SATB a cappella version is also available.