Hark! What distant music (Oliver Holden)
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- Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2015-08-08). Score information: Letter, 2 pages, 93 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: As written in 1793. MusicXML source file(s) in compressed .mxl format.
General Information
Title: Hark! What distant music
Composer: Oliver Holden
Lyricist: Thaddeus M. Harris
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Anthem
Language: English
Instruments: Mixed ensemble
First published: 1793 in The Union Harmony, Vol. 2, pp. 110-112
Description: Introduction and an interlude by two treble instruments and a bass instrument. Words by Thaddeus M. Harris.
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Hark! What distant music melts upon the ear?
So sweet the tones, the symphonies so clear!
Some seraph sure has touched his golden lyre,
And praise resounds through all the heavenly choir.
Ye mortals, catch the soul-commanding sound,
Learn the blessed theme, and chant the chorus round.
O, could our strains the rapturous notes combine,
Then should our grateful anthems pour along,
The soothing, swelling harmonies of song;
And every breast would glow with love divine!