PARTS: Soprano Alto Tenor Bass All
KEY: bold = first beat of bar ^ = rest Underline = triplet backing vocal = [text]
165 - The Holy City
Verse 1
Last night I lay a-sleeping there came a dream so fair
I stood in old Jerusalem beside the temple there
I heard the children singing and ever as they sang
Methought the voice of angels from Heav’n in answer rang
Methought the voice of angels from Heav’n in answer rang
Chorus
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Lift up your gates and sing
Hosanna in the highest Hosanna to your King!
4 bar turnaround
Verse 2
(Tenor, Bass only - sing softer) And then methought my dream was changed the streets no longer rang,
Hushed were the glad Hosannas the little children sang
The sun grew dark with mystery the morn was cold and chill
As the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill
(All) As the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill
Chorus
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Hark how the angels sing
Hosanna in the highest Hosanna to your King!
Interlude
And once again the scene was changed new earth there seemed to be
I saw the Holy City beside the tideless sea.
The Light of God was on it’s streets the gates were open wide.
And all who would might e--nter and no-one was denied
No need of moon or stars by night, Or sun to shine by day
It was the new Jerusalem that would not pass away
It was the new Jerusalem that would not pass away
Chorus
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Sing for the night is o’er
Hosanna in the highest Hosanna for ever- (lower pitch)-more
Hosanna in the highest ---(pause)
Hosanna for ev-er---- more-------
Words and music by Steven Adams and F. E. Weatherly. The song is recorded in the African Methodist Episcopal Church Review in 1911 as having been sung by an opera singer awaiting trial for fraud in his cell while a group of men arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct were before the judge. The men were said to have dropped to their knees as the song began 'Last night I lay a-sleeping, There came a dream so fair.', the lyrics contrasting with their previous night's drunkenness. The song's conclusion resulted in the judge dismissing the men without punishment, each having learned a lesson from the song.[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holy_City_(song)