We Gather Together
by J. William Greene
TB - Sheet Music

TB choir, organ

SKU: C5.5253

Arranged by J. William Greene. Text: Kremser. Practical anthem for men's voices. Thanksgiving, General. Octavo. Published by CanticaNOVA Publications (C5.5253).

A nice way to add variety to the adult choir program is to have half the choir (the women or the men) sing alone occasionally. This anthem is a great way for the men to shine - the tenors sing the familiar hymn melody, We Gather Together, and the basses add an easy harmony. The organ part, which is similar in style to some of the hymn preludes by Paul Manz, supports the singers and adds some harmonies above them. Three stanzas are included, with a brief introduction and coda. The overall effect is one of peaceful, yet persistent, motion. The hymn, We Gather Together was written in 1597 in thanksgiving for a Dutch victory, and was brought to the New World by Dutch settlers. Translated from Dutch to German by Eduard Kremser (1877) and from German to English by Theodore Baker (1894), it became paired with the familiar melody we sing today, named Kremser for the 19th century Austrian men's choir director.