SATB choir, voice solo,
piano accompaniment -
Early intermediate
SKU: GI.G-10552
Arranged by Christin
Kieckhafer. Good Friday.
Choral. Sacred. Octavo.
16 pages. GIA
Publications #10552.
Published by GIA
Publications
(GI.G-10552).
English.
Text Source: Alas!
and Did My Savior
Bleed?, Isaac Watts,
1674-1748, alt., At
the Cross, Ralph E.
Hudson, 1843-1901, alt.
Text by Isaac
Watts.
“At
the Cross†contains
the very rich texts of
Isaac Watts and Ralph
Hudson. My desire is to
treat each verse with
utmost respect by
highlighting—throu
gh music—the
suffering, shame, hope,
beauty, and glory of the
cross. The cross embodies
all of these attributes.
You will notice there is
a somberness that begins
at m. 84, mirroring the
darkness that ensued
while Christ hung on the
cross (Mark 15:33). A
“darkerâ€
sound from the altos is
encouraged. This is the
turning point in the
song, preparing the
singers for the response
to such a sacrifice.
Although the text speaks
of grief and debt
(starting at m. 93), one
can see the hope that
builds, with the
realization that complete
surrender is the only
response to such a
sacrifice. Much thought
and energy (under
control) should be
expended to aid this
verse in building to the
climactic point of the
song, when hope is found
in the cross and the
burden has been
lifted.
Isaac Watts, Ralph E
