"Bring us, O Lord God" genre: Choral
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	Sacred motet for double choir
	CD: The Lover's Ghost   Label: Sings Harry Vocal Ensemble Credits: William Harris (1883-1973)
	Story Behind the Song Englishman William Harris wrote much sacred choral music; his two large pieces for unaccompanied choir, Faire is the heav'n and Bring us, O Lord God seem so similar in style and approach that one could be forgiven for thinking they were written as a set. In fact, the two pieces are separated by a number of years, with Bring us the later of the two. A grand anthem for double choir, Bring us is a inspiring setting of politician-turned-priest John Donne's text (itself beautiful in its simple yet compelling vision of heaven). Harris makes interesting use of tonal modulations in this work: the opening is in the resonant key of Db major, then the tonality shifts, rising until it touches the distant key of A at "equal eternity", then falling back to Db at "Amen". Harris uses the two choirs sparingly for most of the work, employing for the main a traditional "statement and response" antiphonal style; as a result, the effect when the choirs do eventually merge at "thy glory" is overwhelming. Lyrics Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heav'n. To enter into that gate and dwell in that house where there shall be No darkness nor dazzling but one equal light, No noise nor silence but one equal music, No fears nor hopes but one equal possession, No ends nor beginnings but one equal eternity in the habitation of thy glory and dominion. World without end. Amen.

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