Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Ideal for use at Pentecost, at ordinations, and as an offertory or communion anthem at any time, “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” invokes the Holy Spirit and pleads for its presence, guidance, and sanctification of the petitioner.

“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” was written in 1876 by the English theologian and Anglican priest Edwin Hatch (1835-1889). Initially published privately in a pamphlet titled “Between Doubt and Prayer” under the Latin title “Spiritus Dei” (“Spirit of God”), it was made public in 1886 in Henry Allon’s “The Congregational Psalmist Hymnal.” It has been set to a number of tunes, including John Chetham and S.S. Wesley’s AYLESBURY, the Irish tune ST. COLUMBA, Charles Lockhart’s CARLISLE, and Robert Jackson’s TRENTHAM.

This new setting features solo soprano on verse 1, full choir on verse 2, solo or tutti men on verse 3, and full choir on verse 4 and concluding “Amen.”

SATB/organ score (4 pages, 8.5×11″)

SAB/organ score (4 pages, 8.5×11″)