On today’s Issues, Etc program Todd Wilken had Pastor Will Weedon on the show to discuss a great Easter hymn – Joy to the Heart (link to the MP3 of the show). It is well worth the listen.
If you’ve never heard the hymn, here is a video of a setting written by K. Lee Scott. The setting is available from CPH and performance scores are available for the optional instrumentation. Enjoy!
Thanks so much for that Youtube link. Now I can share it with friends.
Not bragging in the least, but just to let folks know: our little 10-member choir sang this a few Easters ago, with only the organ accompanying (a little piano augmentation here and there) and it was glorious.
All I’m saying is: a small choir can sing this, without trumpets and tympani and bell choirs if they’re not available. We made sure the congregation had their copies of the text as well, in order to sing the final verse along with the choir, and thank God for their singing.
Do not let this large choir and added instruments intimidate you smaller choirs from taking on this song. It’s too good–words and music–to pass up.
I was hoping it would be offered as a hymn, in fact, in our new hymnal. Maybe some day, in some hymnal.