Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

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Composer: Ellen Koehler

Arrangement Samples - Click pdf link(s) below to view

Lead Sheet

PDF icon come_thou_long_expected_jesus-lead-sample.pdf

Vocals

PDF icon come_thou_long_expected_jesus-vocals-sample.pdf

Sheet Music Category:

Available Arrangements:

  • Season of Light
  • Lead Sheet
  • Vocals

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free.
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a Child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

 

Setting: Ellen Koehler. Copyright ©2004 Ellen Koehler. All Rights Reserved.
Words: Charles Wesley, 1745 Hymn tune: Hyfrydol; Rowland H. Prichard, 1830.

Audio Sample Track

  • Vocal

Commentary -

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus is one of the most familiar Advent hymns, because its lyrics so beautifully express the anticipation and longing of this first season of the Christian year. Its two verses together reflect the in-the-meantime nature of Advent, in which we remember and commemorate the first coming of the Savior, look forward with eager anticipation to His second coming, and our present heart-cry that Christ “rule in all our hearts alone.”

The most common hymn tune for this text is the also familiar Hyfrydol. Composed by the Welsh composer Rowland Prichard in 1830, this tune has been used to set many familiar hymn texts. Perhaps the best known of these are Alleluia! Sing to Jesus, and Jesus, What a Friend For Sinners. The harmonization by Ralph Vaughan Williams is contained in most hymnals.

This setting takes a more gentle tone. In keeping with the season, the first verse in the key of D has the feel of a lullaby. The second verse retains the chord progression, but the modulation to the brighter key of E heightens the declarations of the work and person of Christ and our longing to be with Him in His glory. The 3-part vocal arrangement is particularly lovely when a guitar is the main accompaniment instrument with keyboard or organ background and another instrument (such as flute or violin) in counter melody added.

Liturgical Uses:
Gathering hymn; Invocation; Confession; Table.

Key: D (verse 1), with modulation to E (verse 2)

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus is available as a lead sheet and scored for three-part vocal harmony (“vocals”).

Sample arrangements are not for reproduction.
Copyright ©2016 Ellen Koehler.  All Rights Reserved.