Are You Weary of Your Burden
David Ashley White

Composer David Ashley White
Text John Mason Neale, adapt. Richard Leach
Voicing SATB, violin or keyboard
Topics Comfort, Encouragement
Price $1.95 (U.S.)
Released 1/10
Catalog no. 420-365 Difficulty Mod. easy

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Description
This anthem is intended to be accompanied only by violin. If keyboard is preferred, the violin part should not be played, redolent of early American hymnody. This pairing of text and tune was originally created for New Harmony, Leach and White's collection of hymns drawing on the early American folk hymnody tradition. Use of the violin accentuates the sparely expressive character of the music.

Text
Are you weary of your burden,
are you sore distressed?
Come to me, says Christ, and coming
be at rest.

Has he marks that I may know him,
and make him my guide?
In his feet and hands are woundprints,
and his side.

Is there diadem, as monarch,
that his brow adorns?
Surely, yet the crown upon him
is of thorns.

If I find him, if I follow,
what is given here?
Many a sorrow, many a labor,
many a tear.

If I still hold closely to him,
what has he at last?
Sorrow vanquished, labor ended,
Jordan passed.

If I ask him to receive me,
will he tell me no?
Never, not if earth and heaven
melt like snow.

Finding, following, keeping, struggling,
is he sure to bless?
Saints, apostles, prophets, martyrs
answer, Yes.

--John Mason Neale, 1862;
adapt. Richard Leach, 1997.

Text © 1997 Selah Publishing Co., Inc.



 

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