And Am I Born to Die?
for SSAATTBB choir with soli, cello and optional handbells; or a cappella SSAATTBB choir with soli
2012
Music:
Traditional American Folk Hymns from “The Sacred Harp”
“Idumea” – Ananias Davisson, 1816
“New Britain” – Columbian Harmony, 1829
for SSAATTBB choir, cello, and handbells
Texts:
“And Am I Born to Die” – Charles Wesley, 1763
“Amazing Grace” – John Newton, 1779
Text
"And Am I Born to Die" - Charles Wesley, 1763
And am I born to die?
To lay this body down!
And must my trembling spirit fly
Into a world unknown?
A land of deepest shade,
Unpierced by human thought
The dreary regions of the dead,
Where all things are forgot.
Soon as from earth I go
What will become of me?
Eternal happiness or woe,
Must then my portion be!
Waked by the trumpet sound,
I from my grave shall rise;
And see the Judge with glory crowned,
And see the flaming skies!
from "Amazing Grace" - John Newton, 1779
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.