Monday Music: The Road Home

A beautiful arrangement by the late Stephen Paulus. The tune, "Prospect"from Southern Harmony, 1835, was adapted by Paulus to accompany the lyrics written by Michael Dennis Brown. See below for a note from Stephen Paulus about this piece.

A note from composer Stephen Paulus on The Road Home

In the Spring of 2001 I received a commission from the Dale Warland Singers to write a short "folk" type choral arrangement.  I had discovered a tune in a folk song book called "The Lone Wild Bird."  I fell in love with it, made a short recording and asked my good friend and colleague, Michael Dennis Browne to write new words for this tune. The tune is taken from The Southern Harmony Songbook" of 1835.  It is pentatonic and that is part of its attraction.  Pentatonic scales have been extant for centuries and are prevalent in almost all musical cultures throughout the world.  They are universal.  Michael crafted three verses and gave it the title "The Road Home."  He writes so eloquently about "returning" and "coming home" after being lost or wandering.  Again, this is another universal theme and it has resonated well with choirs around the world as this simple little a cappella choral piece has become another "best seller" in our Paulus Publications catalogue and now threatens to catch up with "Pilgrims' Hymn."  It is just more evidence that often the most powerful and beautiful message is often a simple one.

                                                                                                          Stephen Paulus

                                                                                                          May 2013 

[From http://stephenpaulus.com/blogs/news/17806884-work-story-the-road-home]

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Stephen Paulus, "Pilgrims' Hymn

[This post is re-blogged from The Music of the Spheres in honor of Stephen Paulus and his music]

“Endless thy grace, Beyond all mortal dream”

Stephen Paulus was a prolific American composer who died this month from medical complications following a stroke at the age of 65. His musical compositions were eclectic and varied. "Pilgrim's Hymn," a beautiful anthem, is one of his most performed pieces. Scroll down for the lyrics.

Pilgrim’s Hymn

By Stephen Paulus

Even before we call on thy name

To ask thee, O Lord,

When we seek for the words to glorify thee,

Thou hearest our prayer;

Unceasing love, O unceasing love,

Surpassing all we know.

Glory to the father,

and to the Son,

And to the Holy Spirit.

Even with darkness sealing us in,

We breathe thy name,

And through all the days that follow so fast,

We trust in thee;

Endless thy grace, O endless thy grace,

Beyond all mortal dream.

Both now and forever,

And unto ages and ages,

Amen

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