Morning Hymn – Carol Barnett

Composer: Carol Barnett

Text by: John Keble (1792-1866)

Instrumentation: SATB, organ

Duration: Approx. 3'15"

Date Written:  2018

Composer’s note: This setting of the first poem from John Keble’s The Christian Year begins in lively C major/Lydian, picturing the joy of first awakening to a day full of possibilities. The more thoughtful middle section counts the blessings of each day and asks for help “to live more nearly as we pray.” Morning Hymn was commissioned in 2018 by Plymouth Congregational Church in celebration of Carolyn Brunelle’s 50 years as a member of the Plymouth Choir. The  text is one of her favorites.

text

Morning Hymn 

New every morning is the love 
Our wakening and uprising prove; 
Through sleep and darkness safely brought, 
Restored to life, and power, and thought.

 New mercies, each returning day, 
Hover around us while we pray; 
New perils past, new sins forgiven, 
New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven.
 
If on our daily course our mind 
Be set to hallow all we find, 
New treasures still, of countless price, 
God will provide for sacrifice.

 Old friends, old scenes will lovelier be, 
As more of Heaven in each we see: 
Some softening gleam of love and prayer 
Shall dawn on every cross and care.
 
The trivial round, the common task, 
Will furnish all we ought to ask; 
Room to deny ourselves; a road 
To bring us daily nearer God.

Only, O God, in Thy dear love 
Fit us for perfect Rest above; 
And help us, this and every day, 
To live more nearly as we pray. 

Adapted from “Morning” by John Keble (1792-1866)