Psalm 126 is a reading heard most frequently at the time of harvest. It is also particularly appropriate for the second Sunday of Advent or the fifth Sunday of Lent.
The vocal line is reminiscent of medieval plainsong and should be sung non-metrically, but following the flow and rhythm of the text. The flute part serves as the refrain in many instances at the ends of the vocal line, and sometimes as accompanist. As accompanist, it is important to follow the voice part rhythmically, but when supplying the refrain-like sections at the ends of phrases, a free and rubato style is expected.
This setting of Psalm 126 was composed for a special Harvest Thanksgiving service at St. Leonard’s Anglican Church of Toronto in October, 1994. Organized by liturgical dancer, Barbara Smith, and sung by Monica Walsh, this psalm was performed with solo dance, as a representation of the harvest.
