And Am I Born To Die? (Idumea/Amazing Grace) - Casey Rule

"Am I Born to Die?" (Idumea/Amazing Grace)
composed and directed by Casey Rule
performed by The Lehigh University Choir
"Voices of Mystery", March 2012
Download the sheetmusic at: notenova.com/catalog/work/and-...
Music:
Traditional American Folk Hymns from "The Sacred Harp"
"Idumea" - Ananias Davisson, 1816
"New Britain" - Columbian Harmony, 1829
for SSAATTBB choir, cello, and handbells
Texts:
"And Am I Born to Die" - Charles Wesley, 1763
"Amazing Grace" - John Newton, 1779
------------------------------------------------------------
And am I born to die?
To lay this body down?
And must my trembling spirit fly
Into a world unknown,
A land of deepest shade,
Unpierced by human thought,
The dreary regions of the dead,
Where all things are forgot?
Soon as from earth I go,
What will become of me?
Eternal happiness or woe
Must then my portion be:
Waked by the trumpet's sound,
I from my grave shall rise,
And see the Judge, with glory crowned,
And see the flaming skies!
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
www.caseyrule.com/
/ caseyrulemusic

[@Catartist154321]

We need to bring this back into modern worship sessions. I miss the days when songs used to have feeling and soul to them, not just words and a basic beat.

[@AllGamingStarred]

+Catartist154321 that basically describes all churches in the California.

[@justforever96]

I agree. Sacred Harp is my church; this is one of the poplar songs from the book, and there are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of powerful, deeply spiritual, thought-provoking songs that seem to actually proclaim "Praise the Lord!" and "Beware ye the wages of Sin!" even if many of the participants aren't religious. If there was a single church around that used that music and style of singing as a integral part of the service, I would go. As it is, the music is the single disappointment I have about all the churches around here. I don't go to church to hear weak-livered choral arrangements with predictable lyrics, all boringness and mildness. I _definitely_ don't go to listen to some dudes with an electric guitar, bass and drum set singing a "Christian rock" song. There are probably things that make me feel less spiritual than that, but not many. I can even stand "modern" church buildings, although I really prefer an old one, but not "modern" church music. I know it was all "modern" one day, but it seems like it hasn't really improved over time, at all. This is Idumea sung by a good-sized Sacred Harp group, although they are being led a bit faster than it would usually be sung and the microphone on the camera isn't up to the challenge of all those people singing at the top of their lungs together: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ-nho2jjsh4pK8

[@DMM-cv5fh]

I agree so much! I am one of the older millennials, almost Gen X, and when I was young I remember these older hymns when we went to a more traditional church. Then I remember going to some other churches when I was older and they seemed more interested in serving Starbucks style coffee and putting on some kind of rock concert with people bobbing up and down like a pop concert, and the lyrics were all the same with very little content in the way of message. Now, the church I go to has incorporated both styles and the response has been awesome. Some of the songs sound a lot like the shape note style, even though it isn't done the real shape note way.

[@thebeardog2317]

@@AllGamingStarred 😂😂😂 it's so true though!!

[@allisonthorson1682]

I'm not even in the US so that doesn't help unfortunately hahah

[@Lieblingsfachful]

I love the contrast between the two pieces. They compliment each other perfectly. The first expresses the mortal fear - the uncertainty of death - and what lies beyond the grave. A soul clutched in terrible anxiety. And the second is the answer: amazing grace, given by god, that "those fears relieved".

[@elephantcastle5110]

I want these two pieces to play at my funeral

[@1210mac10]

yep they sure do

[@t.l.conner8151]

A few times a year I always come back to, " And Am I Born To Die"

[@nn5410]

I'm amazed this doesn't have a million views by now. This is absolutely and utterly gorgeous.

[@firstnamelastname2197]

it is one of the gems of youtube isn't it

[@stephenwiningnear4233]

This music ,especially this song puts me in such a place of sweet bliss, peace and harmony, that I feel like I could shut my eyes and peacefully drift off to wake in the presence of God. Not that I'm planning on leaving until He calls me but this compilation seems like a direct glance into the Throne of God.

[@nolongervailable9400]

The people who wrote these songs were being Persecuted unto Death, every day knowing they could be taken away and beaten and jailed, hanged or burned alive, judged guilty for no other reason than they were reading the Word of God..of course they would write things like this. They knew the Purity of the Gospel and what it would cost them to Follow it; they knew gut wrenching fear and absolute calm. To be that close to your own death is to Be that close to God 🙌🙌

[@Potoperson]

I am in love with this arrangement, with these voices. Bravo, bravo, bravo.

[@MxMelmelB]

I'm in tears listening to this. No words for the raw emotion I'm feeling over it. Thank you.

[@gustavoserrate595]

This is just amazing. For those who read the Tibetan Book of the dead, you may find some similarities. I am not christian. I am not a budist. But i Think some of us are talking about the same things with diferent names, diferent aesthetics. We should never close ourselves to our brothers and sisters because of religions, because our paths is very much the same.

[@michaelholifield4036]

I wish they would sing that way at my church.

[@tireachan6178]

Amazingly beautiful, such power drawn from the confrontation of man's frailty.

[@E7FiretrUCK]

i feel paralyzed in my chair as soon as the music and singing started. so magnificent that i cant explain it with words, but only emotions.

[@Banshee111harpyeagle]

And am I born to die?...To lay this body down?...And must my trembling spirit fly....Into a world unknown.....a land of deepest shade...Unpierced by human thought...The dreary regions of the dead...Where all things are forgot?...….Soon as from earth I go...What will become of me?...Eternal happiness or woe...Must then my portion be....Waked by the trumpet's sound...I from my grave shall rise...And see the Judge with glory crowned...And see the flaming skies

[@averykempf9164]

Thank you!

[@Major_Bomber187]

A bundle of Union or Confederate troops sing this during battles like Crater, Gettysburg, Antietam, Franklin, Kennsaw Mountain, Petersburg, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Alanta, etc... These two songs work for any battle, war anything.

[@sharonlaparry775]

I live at the edge of the Chickamauga Battlefield, I am also within throwing distance of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. I will always have this song I'm my mind from now on whenever I drive through the Battlefield.

[@sweetvioletstar]

Casey,do us all a big favor and don't ever remove this.:)

[@salyluz6535]

Those of you who want to reconnect with a more heartfelt and direct mode of worship should visit a church such as the Old Brethren (in CA, IN, OH & AR), Old Order River Brethren (in IA, PA & WV), Old German Baptist Brethren, Amish Mennonite, Beachy Amish and other similar plain churches where English is spoken. You can find a similar plain church in over 40 states. We are glad to have visitors! We sing old hymns, a cappella in four part harmony, & we are about worshiping the Lord rather than entertainment when we sing.

[@CatherineSTodd]

Gorgeous, just gorgeous. Can't stop listening. Thank you so much for posting!

[@dewayneroberson5392]

I am blessed to have been brought up with holy spirit music. IT IS STILL BEING SUNG IN Little church's on the side of the road. Seek and you shall find.

[@Redman147]

Sacred harp. Some look upon this as primitive music, but the harmonies that are heard are indeed, in my opinion, sacred and pure as a harp when the whole of a congregation sang and worshiped. Religion is now looked upon as some class or lecture you sit through for an hour or two a week. People have forgotten that singing is, and forever will be, another form of prayer. Whether it's singing about the grace and splendor of our Lord or asking our Lord questions about our souls while on bended knee. Music is the pinnacle of soul and emotion and once it's eradicated from worship the soul will be lost to the darkness.

[@kelharper7971]

This is hardly "sacred harp". Although I am in total agreement about the rest of what you say, this is a much embellished version of the song from the Sacred Harp, with all sorts of professional flourishes and gizmos that make it far more intimidating to the average person than it needs to be. Not any person off the street could sing this as heard here. They could join in a Sacred Harp hollow square, however, and that is indeed joyful worship, of whatever form you mean it to take. I personally feel like we are all come together to build and create a beautiful sound for the Lord that could not be created by any of us alone, or even in small groups. We weave our voices together, and create a beautiful, exciting thing that fills the room around us. You can feel in in the air. Even when we aren't singing, the process is on, church is open, this is sacred time. When it's over, and I stop and look back, it's hard for me to believe that what we created was so impermanent, that we weren't hewing something out of stone, or building up from wood; that all we were making was sound, and when we've dispersed, what we made was all gone. That cannot be, so I can't help but believe we make more than sound. It's the only church I ever go to, but it feels more uplifting, and has made me more conscious of spiritual matters than any number of dry church sermons might have. Even if they had had some nice old classic hymns, and half of churches don't even have that any more. Save me from the insipidness of "contemporary Christian music". Silly, light, meaningless songs that people sing along to from a projector screen, to the tune of a guitar and a drum? Pales into insignificance next to the raw power and feeling of the songs of the Sacred Harp.

[@heavymetalsaint9241]

AMEN!!!

[@angelasmith2955]

Being primitive in worship is a good thing! Try to find a Primitive Baptist Church. We worship as close to the way they did in the New Testament as possible. No musical instruments, no frills, just pure worship.

[@derekbernhardt5209]

I’m an atheist but I do appreciate fantastic and deeply emotional choir singing and I really enjoy sacred harp method.

[@PaxDisturbia]

Tears not held back. Echoes of Eternity.

[@InsomniacsInk]

This is absolutely stunning and beautifully mesmerizing!

[@anthonyshenigo7736]

Beautiful, powerful, holy seeking, I love it

[@CatherineSTodd]

Beautiful. Doesn't matter what people click. It's all our soul's desire.

[@jozz2112]

Thank you for this. I sang in high-school and college but never came across this till February 2023, first hearing it acapella from Billy Strings in Nashville's Arena. It froze me in place and tears flow. He has a haunting old Appalachian sound. He recently did it again at a live concert and now I'm searching for as many versions as possible. ❤

[@larrymccombs4478]

Dude those songs are both beautiful and sorrowful I cry every time I hear Amazing Grace and feel like picking up a rifle and firing wildly when I hear Idumea

[@PeterPan54167]

It’s a Turkey shoot !

[@PaxDisturbia]

@@PeterPan54167. Idumea was very powerfully used in the "battle of the Crater" scene from "Cold Mountain". I started to get interested in sacred harp after that. It's a beautiful tradition, and the music does stir the soul.

[@conantheseptuagenarian3824]

so good.

[@andrewmarvell4604]

Brilliant!!

[@jesseusgrantcanales]

Heart-breaking...POWERFUL...reminds me and it is appropriate I found this under the suggestion list next to the video of the song from COLD MOUNTAIN I was listening to. Rest in peace Men of the Union & Confederacy...

[@Sassafrass-qh8po]

beautiful arrangement!

[@David-bl6yg]

I choked up a little when Amazing Grace started

[@aetius2277]

this was awesome

[@joshuadarden7200]

What a question? I think we all seek this answer

[@hollyamber9383]

God perks his ears up for this, for sure.

[@amangaer]

This is just fantastic, man! Congratulations!

[@travisfriedland9346]

this is a work of art!! Comparable to the Mona Lisa, any painting in the Louvre, a rare work of beauty!!

[@cherwell6110]

beautiful! thank you so much for sharing.

[@1210mac10]

I love Both pieces 💛

[@angelamuggli1856]

Gave me goosebumps! You sound great! :)

[@buchling1]

Incredible! What a beautiful arrangement, and very well sung!

[@CaseyRuleMusic]

Kevin Riehle - Absolutely! I'll send one over right away! For now, none of my pieces are formally published, but many of theme are available at my website. This one can be purchased here: www.caseyrule.com/music/works/and-am-i-born-to-die/ Thanks so much for your interest!

[@ocker58]

I sang this song with my school choir the first year I was in it and it brings back lots of such good memories and makes me all emotional.

[@DavidJohnson-of3vh]

superb :) I've sung both those tunes many times.

[@TheBabyProof]

I'd been meaning to find a recording of this for a year - and it's just as good as I remembered.

[@williammunny8294]

Amazing.

[@MistahRankin]

This was a nice arrangement. Good job!

[@judysowell290]

Well done!

[@egialknight1667]

Beauty and valor you gift me.

[@marcusaurelius1477]

Powerful song ...

[@sweetvioletstar]

This is so beautiful,thank you for sharing this with us.

[@AllGamingStarred]

this is just...pure gospel.

[@chaboi7]

How? Sounds like misery

[@chaboi7]

@Logan Porter explain the song

[@AllGamingStarred]

@@chaboi7 You'll only understand it when you've been born again, anointed spiritually. I cannot describe it in mere words.

[@chaboi7]

@@AllGamingStarred I've been born again and I've been full of the holy spirit so be careful to not assume that I'm not because of a song

[@AllGamingStarred]

@@chaboi7 I apologize. But as to your response. Why would you say it? It doesn't sound as such to me. Could you explain?

[@bruceinoregon8163]

great job and performance; you should be very proud. One thing I would watch out for in the interest of capturing the haunting, rustic soul of this genre, is to coax training/trained singers into not sounding "polished and round" by requesting that they use only chest voice, accentuate glottal attacks wherever possible, and not shape or phrase any of the full choral passages and only sing as loud and boisterously as they can the whole time.

[@jesseusgrantcanales]

May GOD bless us ALL!!

[@lotusguild]

great. better that great.

[@facetiousbadger]

A little strange to hear it with instruments, but undoubtedly beautiful!

[@Moni-xb7hl]

I sounds like old songs from Wales, U.K.. Am I right?

[@dewayneroberson5392]

Check out Sacred music in Alabama sand mountain, and Antioch Alabama.

[@Sara-sr8kb]

Haunting. Absolutely haunting. Who sings in first place?

[@paulstrength8574]

Stop and think about what the words are saying. It's a powerful meaning.

[@dylanragsdale8056]

Can anyone recommend more tunes like this?

[@AllGamingStarred]

+Dylan Ragsdale for cold mountain: I wish by baby was bornfor catholic tradition there is the Gregorian chant for the deadi'm Christian so Catholicism is different to me.

[@vrixphillips]

@@AllGamingStarred ? 1) Catholicism is another branch of Christianity, despite what many Protestants today believe. 2) this music is Protestant / American, in the "Sacred Harp" tradition of the Appalachian South. Just look it up and you'll find plenty more tunes like it :) I for one am a fan of the album "John the Revelator" by Phil Kline, but it's rather dark.

[@justcomments1239]

The Old Churchyard - watersons

[@rogerrtewwr4723]

4:55 holy crap that voice

[@declanm6887]

I don't know why but I picture humans battling demons when I listen to this.

[@JediHobbit89]

Same. This would also be a great accompaniment for an adaptation of Robert E. Howard's Solomon Kane stories, which are about an Elizabethan Puritan adventurer who roams the world battling monsters and evil in the name of God.

[@jreed136]

We are always battling demons.

[@peris_arts_film9699]

Declan m fascinating that you depict battle; for as this piece of music was used in the musical score for the film “ Cold Mountain “ for the battle of the crater

[@fishofgold6553]

​@@peris_arts_film9699 I saw the Battle of the Crater in 'Cold Mountain' a few months ago. It was the first time I had heard this song or any sacred harp song for that matter, and the first time I had watched a scene from that film, and I was BLOWN AWAY by how good the song was, and by the scene itself. I genuinely doubt they could have possibly chosen a better song for that scene. I habitually hum or sing this song to myself now. I really should explore some more songs of this genre and get around to buying the movie. :D

[@justforever96]

Wow...that's great. I still prefer the Sacred Harp rendition better, but I'm biased. Sacred Harp always seems to loose something when you try to smooth out the rough edges. But I really do like this a lot; it's a great interpretation of Idumea, really catches the feel. It's funny that I found this video though; I was just recently thinking, and I realized that Idumea and Amazing Grace seem to be very similar, if not almost identical, tunes. I don't know much about music though; does that sound crazy to you? All I know is that when I try to sing Idumea to myself, a lot of time, it ends up sounding more like Amazing Grace.

[@linuxlover55]

Well, one is in a major key, and the other is in a minor key, but I think they both use the pentatonic scale (on a piano, that's the scale formed by just the 5 black notes). So technically, the melodies are both formed from the same 5 notes.

[@douglaschappa4330]

I'll take this over dubstep hymns any day . Let me be buried with my flag , pistol and and the sound of christian folk singing sacred harp

[@tamaricutler4829]

one of my friends said this sounds just like me

[@marcoperusisavorelli4798]

Peaceful ODEM from warlike EDOM in graceful MODE

[@ryanamorrowful]

superbly done... and apparently one person doesn't have a soul.

[@Major_Bomber187]

A sad battle these song would fit is The Evacuation of Dunkirk

[@tamaricutler4829]

the solo literally sounds like me

[@dewayneroberson5713]

The little church on the side of the road, true worship in spirit and truth. No made up programs for little children.

[@nathannotch3798]

Songs in church should not be drums and guitars, it should be this

[@elephantcastle5110]

Great but so fast

[@maiajintcharadze7485]

მიწა თავისას მოითხოვს

[@AmericanWarrior1776]

It appears that one person doesn't have a soul!

[@larrymccombs4478]

Dude those songs are both beautiful and sorrowful I cry every time I hear Amazing Grace and feel like picking up a rifle and firing wildly when I hear Idumea