• Judith Weir
  • Drop Down, Ye Heavens, from Above (1984)

  • Novello & Co Ltd (World)

Advent Prose is the former title of the work

  • SATB
  • 2 min

Programme Note

This very short setting of a text associated with the Matins service at Advent was written in 1983 and first performed by the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, as part of the very beautiful Advent Carol Service
held every year in Trinity College Chapel. The music has a plainsong-like shape (although not based on any real plainsong) and swells from unison to 8-part harmony and back again within a couple of minutes’ music.

Drop down ye heavens from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness.
Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people;
My salvation shall not tarry.
I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions.
Fear not, for I will save thee;
For I am the Lord thy God,
The holy one of Israel, thy redeemer.
Drop down ye heavens from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness.

© Judith Weir

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Drop down, ye heavens, from above

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Discography

More Info

  • A Scottish Service for King Charles III & Queen Camilla
    • A Scottish Service for King Charles III & Queen Camilla
    • 4th July 2023
    • A National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on July 5 2023 includes music by Errollyn Wallen, Judith Weir, new commissions from Paul Mealor and a new arrangement by John Frederick Hudson.