A tender shoot
02:40 duration|Composed in 2024|Difficulty: Easy|First performed: December 2024
Commissioned by Andrew Arthur for the Chapel Choir of Trinity Hall, Cambridge. A simple and memorable tune that blooms harmonically as darkness turns to light.
A tender shoot – sung by the Chapel Choir ofTrinity Hall, Cambridge
Text
A tender shoot hath started
Up from a root of grace,
As ancient seers imparted,
From Jesse’s holy race,
It blooms without a blight,
Blooms in the cold bleak winter,
Turning our darkness into light.
This shoot Isaiah taught us
From Jesse’s root should spring;
The Virgin Mary brought us
The branch of which we sing;
Our God of endless might
Gave her this child to save us,
Thus turning darkness into light.
German 15th Century
Versified by Otto Goldschmidt (1829-1907)
Translated by William Bartholomew (1793-1867)
