Chosen People
An affirmation of the blessedness and belonging of all people
Music: Elizabeth Alexander
Words: Elizabeth Alexander
Chosen People traces a path from familiar Jewish and Christian stories – the apple, the ark, the whale – to deeper questions of forgiveness, compassion, and belonging. This contemplative song moves through shadow and light, ultimately leading to its prophetic conclusion: “The next chapters are ours to imagine.”
Chosen People is the third movement of Kindling: Small Reflections on a Limitless Faith.
Note: This song may be performed with chamber ensemble (flute, horn, violin, cello, piano, string quartet) or with piano alone. In both cases choristers simply use the Choral Score. For chamber ensemble performances of this song, the conductor conducts from the conductor’s score of the complete work (SEA-123-10). Instrumental Parts are available through Seafarer Press.
“One moment keeps coming back to me over and over again: the beautiful instrumental interlude followed by the choir singing, ‘Chosen people are everywhere. . . .’ My wife is a nurse practitioner and she takes care of many of those people ‘under the bridge.’ That is a magical moment in your piece and it will bring tears to the eyes wherever it is played and sung.” Bob Fazakerly, organist-pianist, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston
Details and Ordering Information
Composer Notes
My parents were deeply engaged with the stories and questions of Judaism and Christianity, and my childhood was better for it. This song reflects my gratitude for a tradition shaped by compassion, redemption, and hope, as well as a core belief that all people are chosen people.
Chosen People
As children we are enchanted by the apple, the ark, the whale,
The boy with the slingshot, the baby in the barn.
Later we grapple with forgiveness, resurrection and compassion.
Chosen people are everywhere now – in the market, under the bridge.
The next chapters are ours to imagine.
Elizabeth Alexander
© 2015 by Elizabeth Alexander
Performers
SATB, flute, horn, string quartet
Premiere: First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston / Jason Oby (Houston, TX)
Choir of Arlington Street Church / Mark Buckles (Boston, MA)
Choir of Mount Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church / Mark Tuning (Walnut Creek, CA)
Choir of Unitarian Universalist Church of Atlanta / Donald Milton III (Atlanta, GA)
St Luke Presbyterian Church / David Lohman (St. Louis Park, MN)
SATB, piano
First Unitarian Univeralist Church of Rochester / Joe Mish (Rochester, MN)
