Beautiful Savior : SSAB $7.77 (PDF)
SSAB & Piano
Words by Ger­man Je­su­its as Schön­ster Herr Je­su in the 17th Cen­tu­ry
Music from Si­le­sian folk song (Cru­sad­ers Hymn) from Schles­ische Volks­lied­er (1842)
Arranged by M Ryan Taylor

Though the text of this Hymn is not specific to the Easter season, I really like to program it at that time. Really, it is appropriate for any service of the year; it would even work beautifully for Christmas. This arrangement is an expanded version of the first draft of a commission by soprano, Andrea da Silva. I feel it floats during the first half and then grows in intensity til the end.

Text:
Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,
And all the stars in Heaven above;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
And brings to all the world His love.

Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in the flowers of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Thee will I honor, praise and give glory!
Give praise and glory evermore!