This is a composition to accompany the full hymn 'Zolang er mensen zijn op aarde' (see also:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m6tLW53054). The melody is the same as Genevan psalm 140. We shall use it in the wedding service for which I also composed settings for 'Love Divine', 'O Praise Ye the Lord', 'Come Down o Love Divine' and Psalm 8 (see uploads). This composition contains (the crippling translation is mine):
- A short fugue-like prelude (composed by myself) and the ritornello (composed by Egbert Minnema, a member of my choir, see his YouTube-channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxPjwRDxaez42NV82G1ndzw)
- The first verse (my setting), to be sung by the choir, to 'instruct' the congregation (for there are no silent pauses between the verses, but a ritornello by the organist)
'As long as people inhabit the earth,
as long the earth bears fruit,
you are our Father,
we give thanks for all that lives.'
- The second verse (congregation), same setting but with some 'connecting notes' between the lines
'As long people speak their minds,
as long we exist to each other,
never shall your presence be lacking,
we give thanks in the name of Christ.
- The third verse (sung by all men), setting with ornamented descant (my setting)
You nurture birds in the trees,
you clothe the flowers in the fields,
o Lord, you are my dwelling
and all my days are in your hands.
- The fourth verse (sung by all women), manualiter setting by Egbert Minnema
You are our light, eternal life,
you save the world from death.
You gave your Son to us,
his body is the living bread.
- The fifth verse (congregation), a setting in which the cantus firmus is not to be found in one voice in particular, but 'scattered' in fragments over the voices (my setting).
Hence, everything should worship You,
it originated from your love.
Father, you are among us,
o Lord,
Enjoy!