The Spacious Firmament
for tenor solo, choir SATB, and piano
- Duration 5'
Words
commissioned by First Congregational Church of Lebanon, New Hampshire
Availability
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up to 50 copies for GBP45.00 or USD90.00
up to 100 copies for GBP50.00 or USD100.00
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Text
The spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.
The unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator's power display,
And publishes to every land
The works of an almighty hand.
Soon as the evening shades prevail
The moon takes up the wondrous tale,
And nightly to the listening earth
Repeats the story of her birth,
While all the stars that round her burn
And all the planets in their turn
Confirm the tidings, as they roll,
And spread the truth from pole to pole.
What though in solemn silence all
Move round the dark terrestrial ball?
What though nor real voice nor sound
Amid their radiant orbs be found?
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice,
For ever singing as they shine,
'The hand that made us is divine.'
Joseph Addison (1672-1719)