The beautiful imagery outlined in the 55th chapter of the Book of Isaiah includes seeing the hungry and thirsty given food and drink for free. Of course, the hungry and thirsty are all of us. God invites us to incline our ears, come unto him and let our souls live, promising to establish with us an everlasting covenant. He then explains his thoughts and his ways are higher than ours, raining down his word upon our souls to bring forth the buds of spring.
Please let me know of any Choir that could be interested in performing this piece. I would love to speak with them!
Director’s Note: This piece is in a simple A-B-A-B format. At the end of the first A section there are two measures where the voicing is T1-T2-B1-B2. This is repeated at the end of the second A section where the voicing is S1-S2-A1-A2. These two measures are identical musically (S1=T1, etc.) to simplify practice. Much of the piece is in unison with an option for either male or female solo in measures 24-32.
AI MP3 file:
oh, come ye who are thirsting, come ye to the waters * he that has no money, oh, come and buy and eat
for my thoughts are not your thoughts and neither are my ways, for heaven is high above the earth and higher still my ways
oh, come buy wine and milk and honey without price * come eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight!
incline your ear! come unto me * hear, your soul shall live! and I will make an everlasting covenant with you
when the rain falls down from heaven and the snow from up above, it waters earth and hill and field and brings forth every bud
like a treasure in your heart, my wisdom will descend * it prospers and it pleases , accomplishing my ends
oh, come buy wine and milk and honey without price * come eat ye that which is good and let your soul delight!
incline your ear! come unto me * hear, your soul shall live! and I will make an everlasting covenant with you * and I will make my everlasting covenant with you