ME = Moderately Easy
M = Medium
MD = Moderately Difficult
D = Difficult
Go Out! (John Murray)
SATB, piano - SEA-081-00 - $3.00/copy5 minutes - M
One would never suspect that a historic sermon could lead to such a soulful, "bring-down-the-house" piece of work! The words of American pioneer minister John Murray, who preached a message of religious tolerance and unconditional love, are as relevant and refreshing today as they were then. Alexander brings her classical training, her Appalachian roots and her inventive ear to this rousing song of commission, full of blues-inflections, gospel piano voicings, and rhythmic life.
Performance Notes: In shaping John Murray's original sermon excerpt into a lyric, his words have been "abridged," not "adapted." I omitted words whose historical context is so complex as to require lengthy explanation, or which refer to the specific location of Murray's audience in America. However, my decision not to add or substitute my own words into the original text was an intentional one. Murray did indeed use the word "men" — not "all" or "people" or "men and women" — so that is the word I set to music, and the word that I would like choirs to sing. Thank you, E.A.
Go Out! - Score (excerpt)
(Performed by Choir of Unity Church-Unitarian of St Paul ~ Ruth Palmer, conductor ~ Elizabeth Alexander, piano ~ Bill Webb, drums)
Yes, this recording includes a drum kit, with the part improvised by the drummer. No written drum part exists for this song, but feel free to utilize an experienced drummer (or bass player) in your own performance, if you wish.
Go Out! is also a movement from Go Out! - A Musical Celebration of Liberal Religion and Freedom of Thought
Go out into the highways and by-ways
And give the people something of your new vision.
You may possess only a small light, but uncover it and let it shine.
Use it to bring more understanding to the hearts and minds of men.
Give them not Hell, but hope and courage.
Do not push them deeper into their despair,
But preach the kindness and the everlasting love of God.
Abridged lyric copyright 2009 by Elizabeth Alexander.
Original, unabridged text
Go out into the highways and by-ways of America, your new country. Give the people, blanketed with a decaying and crumbling Calvinism, something of your new vision. You may possess only a small light but uncover it, let it shine, use it in order to bring more light and understanding to the hearts and minds of men. Give them, not Hell, but hope and courage. Do not push them deeper into their theological despair, but preach the kindness and everlasting love of God.
Historical note: Calvinism, as practiced in Murray's 18th century England, was a more severe religion than that practiced by modern-day Calvinists and Presbyterians, with the damnation of sinners emphasized over the forgiveness of sins. Murray and others came to believe that salvation did not depend on strict obedience to a code of religious law, but was instead granted to all through the grace of God. The church founded by Murray and other pioneer ministers, The Universalist Church in America, merged with the American Unitarian Association in 1961, forming the denomination now known as Unitarian-Universalism. Today, Murray's notion of radical religious tolerance is embraced by members of many faith traditions, who see this message of grace and acceptance as a vital part of creating a peaceful world.
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