Advent Joy

Voicing: SAB
Words by Isaac Watts, music by Thomas Jaman
Arr. William David Young, orch. Bruce Greer

Advent Joy is a delightful setting of the hymn, Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates (Macht hoch die Thür), by Georg Weissel (1590-1635); translated from German by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878) in 1855. Winkworth included this hymn in her first edition of translated hymns, Lyra Germanica. She went on to publish several more collections of translated German hymns and is credited with, more than any other person, bringing the German chorale tradition to the English speaking world. The hymn is based on Psalm 24.
Here, employing a hymn tune by English choir master and hymnist, Thomas Jarman (1776-1860), William David Young creates a charming anthem for the anticipatory season of Advent. Multiple voicings, instrument parts and a fully-orchestrated accompaniment track are available.