O Lord, Support Us All the Day Long, by Harvey Burgett

In dedication to the memory of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Quire of Cheahs is honored to present the world première recording of Harvey Burgett's gorgeous setting of "O Lord, Support Us All the Day Long", an evening prayer from the Book of Common Prayer which is attributed to the 19th century cardinal John Henry Newman. Composed as a direct response to the unexpected passing of Benjamin Britten, Burgett's use of Britten’s harmonic language pays homage to the composer and creates a timeless serenity that evocatively summons “a holy rest and peace at the last”.
Burgett writes, "Benjamin Britten died suddenly and tragically during heart surgery on Saturday, December 4, 1976. It seemed to me that he had not had a chance for musical closure. I hastily attempted to channel him in a brief setting of “O Lord, Support Us All The Day Long,” employing, one by one, each of the 24 major and minor triads which had been so important to him. The style was recitative-like and very much a singers’ piece. My choir at the Church of the Incarnation in New York City sang it the next day during the Sunday service. This current revised version four decades later, expands the note values to give prominence to the harmonic progressions, creating an atmosphere for contemplation of the text by the listener."
--
O Lord, support us all the day long,
until the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over, and our work is done.
Then, Lord, in thy mercy,
grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest,
and peace at the last.
Amen.

[@ianwalton6304]

A Thank you from old man. Absolutely beautiful!! Greetings from Austria

[@voicemagic]

This is wonderful! Beautiful composition, and great performacne and recording! Cheers!

[@karenmacdonald7470]

Thank you so very much for doing this, as if it was out there waiting for me, looking for the perfect music and words for me today. You put it out there for all of us.

[@QuireofCheahs]

You are so very welcome! I am glad that I could help in some small way through Harvey's beautiful music.

[@Sunflowers159]

Spine-tingling!

[@jeanmarielally672]

So moving, Phillip. Thank you for this.