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Christiana C.M.D.

By Aldo Thomas Ceresa

Key
F♯ minor
Type
Folk hymn
Time signature
6
4
Composed
2008–09
Text
John Morrison, 1781

Listen to recordings


Description

Named for Christiana, PA, site of the 2008 Keystone Sacred Harp Convention, where the tune was first sung in January, 2008. This tune was sung at the 2011 Camp Fasola Adult Session Composium, as well as by The Art Mob in their Winter, 2011 concerts.


Text

The race that long in darkness pined
have seen a glorious light;
the people dwell in day, who dwelt
in death's surrounding night.

To hail thy rise, thou better Sun,
the gathering nations come,
joyous as when the reapers bear
the harvest-treasures home.

To us a Child of hope is born,
to us a Son is given;
him shall the tribes of earth obey,
him all the hosts of heaven.

To hail thy rise, thou better Sun,
the gathering nations come,
joyous as when the reapers bear
the harvest-treasures home.

His power increasing still shall spread,
his reign no end shall know;
justice shall guard his throne above
and peace abound below.

To hail thy rise, thou better Sun,
the gathering nations come,
joyous as when the reapers bear
the harvest-treasures home.