“Softly the Night is Sleeping” is a Nativity poem by the Rev. Edward Abiel Washburn (1819-1881), a noted American Episcopal clergyman who studied at both Harvard and Yale, and who served parishes in Newburyport, Massachusetts; Hartford, Connecticut; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and New York City. A noted preacher, he also translated Latin hymns as well as authoring a number of his own poems.
In three verses, “Softly the Night is Sleeping” recalls the Bethlehem hillside where shepherds watched their flocks by night, the virgin mother Mary, the infant Jesus in the manger, the heavenly host singing “Gloria,” the bright star shining above, the arrival of the Magi, and more. Verse 1 of this moderately easy anthem features women’s voices in unison, verse 2 features men’s voices in unison, and verse 3 features alternating women’s and men’s voices, culminating in all voices in unison. The refrain after each verse, “Glory to God! Peace on the earth, good will to men,” is sung by all voices in harmony.
A solo instrument (parts for oboe/violin/flute in C as well as clarinet in B-flat included) provides introduction and interludes between verses as well as a lovely countermelody in verse 3.
SAB/piano score (4 pages, 8.5×11″)
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