Emmanuel, You’re One Of Us by Rend Collective with Ellie Holcomb

Gary Ware

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December 11, 2020

This is only Rend Collective’s second Christmas themed album; this time around their are some collaborations and original songs.
Ellie Holcomb brings accompanying vocals to Emmanuel, You’re One Of Us.
There’s a lot of timeless traditionalism (and sentimentalism) in Christmas songs, so this one is an interesting contrast as a reflection on pretty contemporary events in the light of Christmas hope.

I know
Emmanuel, you’re one of us
You left your throne to wear our scars
Though Christmas lights may lose their spark
And winter’s cold may break our hearts
Christmas means, Emmanuel you’re one of us

Hills Of The North Rejoice – Christmas Songs 2020 Day 11

Gary Ware

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December 11, 2020

Hills Of The North, Rejoice by Charles E. Oakley sung to Martin Shaw’s tune LITTLE CORNARD.
The lyrics reflect the spread of the Gospel around the globe, and also anticipate the final welcome of creation to the returning Lord Jesus.

The lyrics:
1
Hills of the North, rejoice;
River and mountain spring,
Hark to the advent voice;
Valley and lowland, sing;
Though absent long, your Lord is nigh;
He judgment brings and victory.
2
Isles of the southern seas,
Deep in your coral caves
Pent be each warring breeze,
Lulled be your restless waves:
He comes to reign with boundless sway,
And makes your wastes His great highway.
3
Lands of the East, awake,
Soon shall your sons be free;
The sleep of ages break,
And rise to liberty.
On your far hills, long cold and gray,
Has dawned the everlasting day.
4
Shores of the utmost West,
Ye that have waited long,
Unvisited, unblest,
Break forth to swelling song;
High raise the note, that Jesus died,
Yet lives and reigns, the Crucified.
5
Shout, while ye journey home;
Songs be in every mouth;
Lo, from the North we come,
From East, and West, and South.
City of God, the bond are free,
We come to live and reign in thee!

Soul Tread

Gary Ware

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December 10, 2020

The first issue of soul tread (the lower case is part of the branding) arrived today.
I backed it on Kickstarter and the cloth bag was my choice of reward.
Part of the appeal is that it is a print experience and not online.
I think they somehow managed to get it printed with extra strong ink smell, just for the sensory experience of physical engagement.
I’m going to enjoy dipping into its range of content.

Wake, Oh, Wake! With Tidings Thrilling – Christmas Songs 2020 Day 10

Gary Ware

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December 10, 2020

Wake, Oh Wake! With Tidings Thrilling is F. Crawford Burkitt’s translation of Philipp Nicolai’s lyric, which remains set to Nicloai’s tune WACHET AUF.
It seems to largely by confined to choral renditions.
Hearing the melody I can understand why.

The lyrics:
1
Wake, O wake! With tidings thrilling
the watchmen all the air are filling,
arise, Jerusalem, arise!
Midnight strikes! No more delaying,
‘The hour has come!’ we hear them saying,
‘where are ye all, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes in sight,
raise high your torches bright!’
Alleluia!
The wedding song swells loud and strong:
go forth and join the festal throng.
2
Zion hears the watchmen shouting,
her heart leaps up with joy undoubting,
she stands and waits with eager eyes;
see her Friend from heaven descending,
adorned with truth and grace unending!
Her light burns clear, her star doth rise.
Now come, thou precious Crown,
Lord Jesus, God’s own Son!
Alleluia!
Let us prepare to follow there,
where in thy supper we may share.
3
Every soul in thee rejoices;
from earth and from angelic voices
be glory given to thee alone!
Now the gates of pearl receive us,
thy presence never more shall leave us,
we stand with angels round thy throne.
Earth cannot give below
the bliss thou dost bestow.
Alleluia!
Grant us to raise, to length of days,
the triumph-chorus of thy praise.

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