Anthem for Sunday, 22 September 2013: “O Come, Ye Servants of the Lord," by Christopher Tye

On Sunday, 22 September 2013 (Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time), our choir will sing the anthem "O Come, Ye Servants of the Lord,” by English composer Christopher Tye. Tye was chapel organist for both King Henry VIII and Catholic Queen Mary, so his choral compositions include both English and Latin works.

Tye may have been music tutor to
Edward VI, son of Henry VII.

Greatly admired by Henry, who said of him, “England hath one God, one truth, one doctor hath for music's art, and that is Doctor Tye, admired for skill in music's harmony,” Tye was reportedly a difficult, ill-tempered man. Once when Queen Elizabeth complained of his playing that it was out of tune and “contained much musick, but little of delight to the ear,” Tye responded that her ears were out of Tune.“ Fortunately, the  polyphonic anthem we will be singing is quite tuneful and not at all difficult.

Here is a nice performance of “O Come Ye Servants of the Lord” by a quartet at Grace Episcopal Church in Weslaco, Texas. Each vocal part is clearly distinguishable. If you need a copy of the score, you can download one here. There is also a MIDI file that you may download.