accel. - Gwyneth Walker

GWYNETH WALKER
ftvÜxw fÉÇzá
for Voice and Organ
Psalm 23
Crossing the Bar
Every Night When the Sun Goes Down
Good Shepherd
Peace, My Heart
Abide With Me
Walk That Valley
I Thank You God
The Lord’s Prayer

ftvÜxw fÉÇzá yÉÜ iÉ|vx tÇw bÜztÇ
This collection contains nine songs for voice and organ, transcribed by the
composer from the original versions. This is an anthology, not a song cycle.
The Songs
Psalm 23 1
Crossing the Bar 8
Every Night When the Sun Goes Down 17
Good Shepherd 26
Peace, My Heart 33
Abide With Me 40
Walk That Valley 48
I Thank You God 55
The Lord’s Prayer 66
Dr. Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947) is a graduate of Brown University and the Hartt School of
Music. She holds B.A., M.M. and D.M.A. Degrees in Music Composition. For nearly 30 years,
she lived on a dairy farm in Braintree, Vermont. She has now returned to her childhood
hometown of New Canaan, Connecticut.
Gwyneth Walker has been a proud resident of Vermont. She is the recipient of the Year 2000
“Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Vermont Arts Council as well as the 2008
“Athenaeum Award for Achievement in the Arts and Humanities” from the St. Johnsbury
(VT) Athenaeum. In 2012, she was elected as a fellow of the Vermont Academy of Arts and
Sciences.
Walker’s catalog includes over 200 commissioned works for orchestra, chamber ensembles,
chorus and solo voice. The music of Gwyneth Walker is published by E. C. Schirmer (choral
and vocal music) and Lauren Keiser Music (orchestral and instrumental music).
Further information concerning Gwyneth Walker and her works is available at
www.gwynethwalker.com

Bible: Psalm 23
G. Walker alt.
Psalm 23
Gwyneth Walker
This setting emphasizes the psalm’s pastoral qualities with a flowing, lyrical melody. The music gains intensity for “I will
fear no evil, for thou art with me,” and the final statement of “I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever” is strong,
with conviction
p
mp
mp
a tempo
7 rit.
mf cantabile
,
The Lord is my shep - herd,
I shall not
rit.
a tempo
12
want. He mak - eth me to lie down in green pas - - tures,
Organ
Gently flowing q = 108
© Copyright 2012 by Gwyneth Walker
252 Park Street, New Canaan CT 06840
www.gwynethwalker.com All rights reserved

2
17
He lead - eth me, He lead - eth me, be -
23
side the still wa - - ters.
rit.
rit.
28
(rit.)
Slightly slower
He re
- stor- eth my soul,
p
a tempo (q = 108)
, mp
be
- side the still
(rit.)
Slightly slower
3 3 3
p
a tempo (q = 108)
mp
mp
Walker / Sacred Songs / Psalm 23

3
34
wa
mf
- - - - - ters, be
- side the still wa - -
39
- - - - -
ters.
44
Slightly faster q = 120
Slightly faster q = 120
mf
Walker / Sacred Songs / Psalm 23
p
I
shall not want, I shall not, shall not,
p
p

4
48
shall not want, I shall not want, I shall not, shall not,
mf
p
p
52
shall not want, be -
mf
f
57
side the still wa - - - - - - - ters,
mf
Walker / Sacred Songs / Psalm 23
p

5
62
wa - ters. Yea,
though I
mf
66
walk through the val - ley of the shad - ow of
69
f
death,
I
rit.
will fear no e - vil,
rit.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Psalm 23

6
72
f
quasi recitative
for
thou art with me, thou art with me, and thy rod and staff they com - fort me.
,
,
73
Slowly, deliberately
3 3 3 3 3
3
Sure
- ly good - ness and mer- cy will fol- low me all the days of my life, and I will
Slowly, deliberately
3
3
3
76
dwell in the house of the Lord for
mf
- ev - - -
mf
Walker / Sacred Songs / Psalm 23

79
83
er.
Lord
rit.
rit.
p
Slowly
p
and
Slowly
a tempo (q = 108)
cresc. to end
for - ev - - - - - - -
,
for
- ev - - - er,
for - ev
a tempo (q = 108)
I will dwell in the house of the
- -
,
p
cresc. to end
88
rit. to end
(cresc.)
ev - er,
ev
(cresc.)
-
er,
rit. to end
for
for
-
-
ev
ev
- - -
- - - -
p
er.
er.
er,
er,
for
for
-
-
7
*Cue-size notes are an ossia for lower voices.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Psalm 23
f
3’00”

8
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
(1809–1892)
Crossing the Bar
Gwyneth Walker
CROSSING THE BAR creates images of the sea, with the “final voyage” leading us out across the water, to see our “Pilot,
face to face.” The musical setting endeavors to express the growth from peaceful to ecstatic moods, the tolling of the bell,
the meeting of the Pilot.“May there be no moaning of the bar, when I put out to sea.”
Organ
Gently, reverently q = 108
p
5
9
A
Sun
A
p peacefully
- set and eve - ning star, and one clear call for me! And
Walker / Sacred Songs / Crossing the Bar

9
13
may there be
*
no moan - ing of the bar, when I put out to sea.
17
rit.
accel.
And may there be no moan - ing of the bar, when I put out to
rit.
accel.
21
Slightly faster q = 120
mf
sea.
Slightly faster q = 120
mf
rit.
p
rit.
(p)
But
* These tenuto marks denote sustained singing through the phrase, with slight emphasis on each marked note.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Crossing the Bar

10
B Slightly slower q = 100
25 quasi recitative (almost spoken)
such
a tide as mov - ing seems a - sleep,
too
B Slightly slower q = 100
p
27
full for sound and foam, When
(p)
29
that which drew from out the bound - less deep
Walker / Sacred Songs / Crossing the Bar

31
accel. C a tempo (q = 120)
cresc.
f
turns
a
- gain
home. Sun
- set and
accel. C a tempo (q = 120)
11
cresc.
f
34
eve - ning star, and one
*
rit.
clear call for me! And
rit.
p
Slightly slower
may there be no moan - ing
Slightly slower
p
38
rit. accel. a tempo (q = 120)
mf
of the bar, when I put out to sea.
rit.
accel.
a tempo (q = 120)
mf
*Cue-size notes are an ossia for lower voices.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Crossing the Bar
mf

12
42
Peacefully q = 108
p
D
D Peacefully q = 108
I
p
p
II
II: contrasting
manual
47
p hushed
Twi
I
- light and eve - ning bell and af - ter that the
I
51
E
dark! And may there be no sad - ness of fare - well when I em -
E
Walker / Sacred Songs / Crossing the Bar

13
55
accel. a tempo (q = 112)
mf
bark;
and
may there be no sad - ness of fare-well
when I em -
accel. a tempo (q = 112)
mf
mf
59
F
bark; for tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place the flood may bear me
F
63
far,
mf
I
hope to see my Pi
rit.
- lot face to face when I have crossed the
rit.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Crossing the Bar

14
67
(rit.)
(rit.)
bar.
f
I
G
G
Slower, grandly
hope to see my Pi
Slower, grandly
- lot face to face when I have crossed the
f
f
71
a tempo (q = 112)
bar.
Face to
a tempo (q = 112)
p
75 H
face, Face to face, face to
H
p
p
Walker / Sacred Songs / Crossing the Bar

15
77
cresc. poco a poco
face, face to face, face to
79
face, face to face, face to
cresc. poco a poco
cresc. poco a poco
81
rit.
(cresc.)
face,
face to face, for
rit.
(cresc.)
(cresc.)
Walker / Sacred Songs / Crossing the Bar

16
83
I
I
Slower, very grandly
ff
I can see my Pi - lot face to face, a -
Slower, very grandly
ff
ff
88
*
cross the bar,
J
J
poco accel.
poco accel.
Slightly faster
Slightly faster
92
rit. to end
rit. to end
*Cue-size notes are an ossia for lower voices.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Crossing the Bar
a
- cross the bar!
p
p
4’00”

Traditional
Every Night When the Sun Goes Down
Gwyneth Walker
EVERY NIGHT WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN is a sorrowful yet hopeful song, expressed in the lyrics “True love don’t
weep or mourn for me. The Lord has come to set me free.” The sustained chordal accompaniment emphasizes the
heaviness of the mourning. Ascending arpeggio and scalar patterns express the rising to heaven. Near the end of the song,
the tonality shifts upward from Eb to E Major to reflect the lyrics,“And when I rise up to the sky...on wings of silver I will
fly.” The voice and accompaniment ascend and fade away.
p
Slowly A a tempo (q = 108)
6
rit.
mp cantabile
Ev ’ry
rit. Slowly A a tempo (q = 108)
11
3
down, ev - ’ry night when the sun goes down,
Organ
Gently flowing q = 108
- night when the sun goes
17
Walker / Sacred Songs / Every Night When the Sun Goes Down

18
16
,
ev
- ’ry night when the sun goes down, I
rit.
a tempo
hang my
rit.
a tempo
21
head
*
and
mourn- ful cry.
poco cresc.
25
rit. Slowly B a tempo (q = 108)
rit.
True love don’t weep, true love don’t
Slowly B a tempo (q = 108)
*Cue-size notes are an ossia for higher voices.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Every Night When the Sun Goes Down

29
33
37
mourn. True love don’t weep. true love don’t
mourn. True love don’t weep or mourn for
poco rit.
, (ossia)
me.
poco rit.
a tempo
The
a tempo
Lord has come to
(ossia)
set
3
me
19
41
rit.
C a tempo
lightly
free. And ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry
rit.
C a tempo
Walker / Sacred Songs / Every Night When the Sun Goes Down

20
44
night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry
rit.
Slower accel. D a tempo (q = 108)
46 p
,
mf
night, and ev - ’ry night, I pray the Lord
my train would
Slower accel. D a tempo (q = 108)
,
mf
mf
49
come. I pray the Lord my train would
Walker / Sacred Songs / Every Night When the Sun Goes Down
rit.

53
come. I pray the Lord my train would
21
57
come
,
to take me back where I come
61
from.
rit.
rit.
mf lightly
Walker / Sacred Songs / Every Night When the Sun Goes Down
And
ev
-
’ry

22
65 E a tempo
night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry
E a tempo
p
rit.
Slower
67
, p
night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry
rit.
Slower
,
a tempo (q = 108)
69
accel.
,
night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry night, and ev - ’ry night... And when I
accel. , a tempo (q = 108)
71 F
f
rise
up in the sky,
F
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
(p) cresc.
(p) cresc.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Every Night When the Sun Goes Down

74
and when I rise up in the -
23
3 3 3 3
f
3 3 3
p cresc.
3 3 3 3
f
p cresc.
77
- sky,
if you look up quick - ly you can
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
(cresc.) f p
(cresc.)
f
80
see me pass - ing by,
p
on wings of sil - ver
Walker / Sacred Songs / Every Night When the Sun Goes Down

24
84
I will fly.
rit. Slower G
f
,
rit. Slower G
mf
f
If
you look up quick- ly, you can
mf
f
88
,
see me pass - ing, pass - ing, pass - ing, pass - ing, pass - ing, pass - ing, pass
-
ing
89
93
H Slowly
p
H
,
mp
by,
Slowly
p
(accel.)
sil
(accel.)
mf
-
ver,
on
mf
accel. poco a poco
wings of sil - ver,
accel. poco a poco
mp
on wings of sil
f
f
f
on wings
- ver, I will
Walker / Sacred Songs / Every Night When the Sun Goes Down
of

97
I
Quickly
fly,
fly,
p
f
25
I
Quickly
p
p
101
rit. to end
I will fly.
rit. to end
f
3 3 3
3
104
(rit.)
p
(rit.)
3 3 3 3 3 3
3 3
p
p
Walker / Sacred Songs / Every Night When the Sun Goes Down
4’20”

26
Henry Baker (1821-1877)
G. W. alt.
Good Shepherd
Gwyneth Walker
This anthem was composed for William and Curtis Sorensen, Tenors in the choir at First Congregational Church in North
Guilford, CT. The Sorensen family raises sheep. The lyrics of the familiar hymn have been modified with the insertion of
the blessing “God before me, God beside me, God behind me, God above me, God within me.” The shepherd asks for
God’s blessing upon himself and his flock.
Gently flowing q = 120
mf
Voice
mf
1. The
Gently flowing q = 120
Organ mf
p
mf
5 A cantabile
King of Love my Shep - herd is whose good - ness fails me nev - er. I noth - ing lack, since
(2.) streams of liv - ing wa - ters flow, my trou - bled soul is heal - ing. And qui - et - ly the
A
mf
Walker / Sacred Songs / Good Shepherd

10
I am
pas - tures
15
He is
voice of
20
His,
grow–
mine
God
and
The
He
voice
is
of
mine
God
for
re
- ev
- veal
for
re
cresc.
God be - side me. God be- hind me. God
-
-
- ev
- veal
a
er.
ing,
-
-
I
and
er.
ing.
1
ṙit.
noth
qui
-
-
ing
et
- bove
me.
-
lack,
ly
since
the
I am
pas - tures
God
His,
grow–
and
the
p tenderly, as a blessing
p
p
be - fore me.
,
1.
rit.
f
mf
mf
a tempo
, mf
2. Where
a tempo
27
Walker / Sacred Songs / Good Shepherd

28
25
rit.
2.
(cresc.)
2
ṙit.
(p)
me.
f
a tempo
, mf
B
3. In dark
a tempo
B
(p) mf
(mf )
mf
- est hours I fear no ill, with
,
29
my dear Lord be - side me. Your strength and mer- cy com - fort still, Your hand is there to
34
guide me. Your strength and mer - cy com - fort still, Your hand is there
Walker / Sacred Songs / Good Shepherd

38
p tenderly, as a blessing
to guide me. God be - fore me. God be - side me.
(no ritard.)
43
f
God be - hind me. God a - bove
me.
And
(no ritard.)
(p)
f
p
f
47 C
so through all the length of days we ne’er shall grow a - part.
Good
C
mf
mf
29
Walker / Sacred Songs / Good Shepherd

30
51
Shep
- herd, I will sing Your praise for liv - ing in my heart. Good
55
Shep
- herd, I will sing Your praise for liv - ing in my heart, my
59
heart.
p tenderly, as a blessing
God
be
- fore me. God be - side me.
p
Walker / Sacred Songs / Good Shepherd

63
God be - hind me. God a - bove me. God with - in
me.
poco rit.
D Slightly slower q = 96
f dramatically
67
*
O King of Love! O Prince of Peace!
D Slightly slower q = 96
f
71
rit.
O Child of Hope! Good Shep - herd I will sing Your
rit.
*Lower notes are an ossia for lower voices.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Good Shepherd
poco rit.
31

32
75
praise
3
3
3
Slowly
,
for
Slowly
liv
- ing in my heart, in my
79
E
a tempo (q = 120)
p
heart,
my heart, for
mf
E a tempo (q = 120)
p
p
83
rit. to end
liv
- ing in my heart, in my heart.
p
rit. to end
Walker / Sacred Songs / Good Shepherd
p
4’00”

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)
from “The Gardener” (1913)
adapted by Gwyneth Walker
Peace, My Heart
33
Gwyneth Walker
PEACE, MY HEART is an uplifting memorial song. The text, by Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, speaks of the final
voyage as fulfillment. “Let it not be a death, but completeness.” The path of life moves towards this “beautiful end.”
A recurrent image in the poem is of birds in flight, rising to heaven. Thus, the musical setting includes short “wing-like”
accompaniment patterns to frame the melody.
The phrase, “Peace, My Heart,” is initially presented gently, to offer comfort to the dying and to those left behind. Then
the expression grows in intensity (marked “impassioned”), since the pain and beauty of the parting are deeply felt. As the
voice fades away, the soul takes flight. “I bow to you, and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.”
Organ
With slight motion q = 120
as the soul rising to heaven
p
p
5
4' Flute
rit. as birds in flight
as a bird in flight
9
A Slowly q = 108
p gently
Peace,
A Slowly q = 108
my heart, let the time for the part - ing be sweet. Let it
3
p
Walker / Sacred Songs / Peace, My Heart

34
13
not be a death but com - plete - ness.
Peace, peace, peace, my
17
heart.
,
B Faster q = 120 with motion
Let love melt in - to mem-or
- y
and
3
,
B
Faster q = 120 with motion
21
, mp
pain in-to
songs. Let
the flight through the sky end in the fold - ing of the
mp
6 6 6 6
Walker / Sacred Songs / Peace, My Heart

25
wings o - ver the nest. Let
6 6 6 6
mf
6 6
C
the last touch of your
C
mf
mf
35
28
rit. Slower a tempo (q = 120)
p
,
,
hands be gen - tle
p
like
the flower of the night. Peace,
,
33
,
peace,
rit. Slower a tempo (q = 120)
peace, my heart.
rit.
rit.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Peace, My Heart

36
38
D
Slower, more freely q = 108
mf
3 , p
, mf
Stand
still, O Beau - ti - ful End, for
a mo - ment, and
say your last words in
D
Slower, more freely q = 108
mf
mf
42
si - lence,
p
very gently
p
I bow to you and
p
46
hold up my lamp to light you on your way.
accel.
cresc.
accel.
cresc.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Peace, My Heart

50
(accel.)
Ah,
E Faster, with motion q = 120
mf
Peace,
my heart, let the time for our part - ing be sweet.
3
37
(accel.) E Faster, with motion q = 120
mf
mf
55
as birds in flight
3 3 3
3
59
rit.
3 3 3
3
rit.
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
dim. 3 3
3
3
Walker / Sacred Songs / Peace, My Heart

38
62
Stand still, O Beau - ti - ful End, for a mo- ment, and say your last words in si - lence.
F Slower, more freely q = 108
p
p
67
(p)
I bow to you and
accel.
70
hold up my lamp to light you on your way,
Ah,
accel.
F Slower, more freely q = 108
p
3
,
Walker / Sacred Songs / Peace, My Heart
,

75
G
G
a tempo (q = 120)
f impassioned
Peace,
a tempo (q = 120)
f
f
my heart, peace, my heart, peace,
39
79
rit. to end
rit. to end
*
3
dim. to end
3
my heart, let the time
for the part - ing be sweet,
mf
mf dim. to end
83
(rit.)
(rit.)
(dim.)
as birds in flight
p
my
heart.
pp
*Cue-sized notes are an ossia for lower voices.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Peace, My Heart
3’15”
This version completed September 12, 2012
New Canaan, Connecticut

40
Henry Lyte (1793–1847)
G. Walker, alt.
Abide With Me
Gwyneth Walker
ABIDE WITH ME adapts the well-known hymn text in which the phrase “Be with me” is substituted for the original words
“Abide with me.” (The latter phrase is saved for the ending.) A middle verse rises in range and dynamics with the words
“Raise high your cross before my closing eyes. Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies.” After this ecstatic
section, the music descends and quiets prayerfully, with repetition of the words “Come live in me, O Lord.” This song
ends peacefully, with the phrase “Abide with me.”
Voice
Organ
Slowly, gently q = 108
Slowly, gently q = 108
mp
A
p peacefully
Come, stay by
A
p
mp
p
6
me, Lord, when falls the e - ven - tide.
The dark - ness deep - ens,
Walker / Sacred Songs / Abide With Me

11
B
Lord, with me a - bide.
When oth - er help - ers
fail, and com-
forts
B
16
flee, Help of the help - less, Lord, come stay by me.
21
accel.
help of the help - less, Lord, come stay by me.
accel.
C With motion q = 120
26 (accel.)
mf
Swift to its close ebbs
(accel.)
C With motion q = 120
mf
mf
Walker / Sacred Songs / Abide With Me
41

42
30
out our lit - tle day. Earth’s joys grow dim, the
34
glor
D
(mf)
- ies pass a - way.
Change
D
and part - ing all a -
38
round I see. O
f
Lord who
chan - ges not,
f
f
Walker / Sacred Songs / Abide With Me

42
sustained
O Lord who chan - ges not, come
43
f
46
stay by me, come stay by me, come stay by me, come stay
p
p
by
me.
50
E
mf espr.
I
need your pres - ence ev - ’ry pass - ing hour,
E
mf
Walker / Sacred Songs / Abide With Me

44
54
On
- ly your grace can con - quer, con - quer e - vil’s power. On - ly your
59
F
p
Light my guide and stay can be. Through
F
cloud and sun - shine,
p
p
64
cloud and sun - shine,
accel.
mf
Through cloud and sun - shine, Lord, come
accel.
mf
Walker / Sacred Songs / Abide With Me

68
(accel.)
stay by me. Hold
(accel.)
f
f
G
G
Faster q = 132
high your cross, be -
Faster q = 132
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
( f )
45
f
72
p
fore my clos - ing eyes.
f
Shine
through the gloom, and
p
f
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
f
f
76
H
point me to the skies. Hea - ven’s morn- ing breaks, and earth’s vain shad-
ows
H
Walker / Sacred Songs / Abide With Me

46
81
flee.
p
p
O
mp
Lord who chan - ges not, O
Lord who
85
chan
- ges not, O
mp
p
poco rit.
mf
poco rit.
Lord who chan - ges not, come stay by
mf
89
(rit.)
me.
Come
I Slower q = 120
f
strength - en me, come live in me!
(rit.)
I Slower q = 120
f
f
Walker / Sacred Songs / Abide With Me

93
*
O Lord, come
47
97
J
J
live in me, come live in me, come live in me, come
sustained, as a prayerful recitative
live in me, O
101
Lord, O Lord, O Lord,
rit. to end
dim. to end, very sustained
rit. to end
dim. to end
O Lord, O Lord, a - bide with me.
*Cue-sized notes are an ossia for lower voices.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Abide With Me
p
3’45”

48
Traditional Spiritual
G. Walker, alt.
Walk That Valley
Gwyneth Walker
WALK THAT VALLEY is based on the traditional American spiritual, “Lonesome Valley.” New lyrics and harmonies have
been added to the original, and new musical interludes have been inserted. The focus is on the individual person
encountering times of difficulty alone “Walk that lonesome valley by yourself.” There are moments of confusion and doubt.
There are moments of fear and pain. Yet, by facing adversity, by oneself, one often finds the strength and faith for moving
forward through life. This is a song of triumph, and of growth, portraying women of strength and of character.
At a gentle pace q =80
p peacefully
Voice
Walk that lone - some val - ley.
At a gentle pace q =80
Organ
p
p
5
Walk it by your - self.
Walk that lone - some val - ley. You’ve got to
Walker / Sacred Songs / Walk That Valley

9
walk it by your - self.
I’ve seen dan - ger. I’ve seen dark-ness.
I’ve seen
A
mf
mf
13
an - ger. I’ve seen fears. I’ve been down by the ri -ver
of
16
B
( mf )
sor - row. In its wa - ters flow my tears. I must walk
Solo
B
mf
Walker / Sacred Songs / Walk That Valley
mf A
49

50
20
that lone - some val - ley.
I must walk it by my- self.
No one else
24
( mf )
can walk it for me. I’ve got to walk it by my-self.
In con -
27 C
fu - sion,
in doubt - ing,
in search - ing
there is
C
p
p
Walker / Sacred Songs / Walk That Valley

30
pain. I’ve been so lost on the road I tra - vel, I fear I’ll
33
D
ne-ver
find my way back home, I’ll ne-ver
find my way. For I must walk that lone - some
Solo (Descant)
D
mf
36
val - ley. I must walk it by my - self
No one else can walk it
Walker / Sacred Songs / Walk That Valley
51

52
40
for me. I’ve got to walk it by my - self.
For
, p when you
43
E
accel. poco a poco
cresc. poco a poco
walk
that lone - some val - ley, and you walk it by your - self, you’ll find a
47
E
accel. poco a poco
faith
Faster
f
p cresc. poco a poco
p cresc.
mf
mf (cresc.)
Faster
* f
3
3
to walk there be - side you. You’ll find a strength to go on - ward, a
3 3
3 3
*Cue-sized notes are an ossia for lower voices.
Walker / Sacred Songs / Walk That Valley

50
rit.
3 3
3
3
3
3
strength there in - side you, a strength that is found in your soul, that is found in your
rit.
3 3 3 3
3 3
3 3
3 3 3 3
(rit.)
F a tempo
53
p
mf
3
soul. There’s a strength in your soul.
There’s a strength in my soul.
(rit.)
F a tempo
3 3 Solo (Chimes)
p
3 3
56
mf
p
3 3
p
f
There’s a strength in my soul.
I’ve seen
– Chimes
3
3
3
53
Walker / Sacred Songs / Walk That Valley

54
60
G
G
dan
f
- ger. I’ve seen dark - ness. I’ve seen an - ger. I’ve seen fear. I’ve been con -
62
fused. I’ve had my doubt - ing. I’ve been search - ing. I’ve had pain.
,
,
Walk that lone - some val - ley.
, ,
65
rit. to end
mf
Walk
, p
that lone - some val - ley all
rit. to end
mf
a
-
lone.
p
Solo (Chimes)
Walker / Sacred Songs / Walk That Valley
3’20”

E. E. Cummings
I Thank You God
55
Gwyneth Walker
This is a song of praise, thanking God for the “leaping, greenly spirits of trees, a blue true dream of sky” and “everything
which is infinite. How should any human being doubt You”
A central phrase of I “who have died am alive again today” returns frequently. This is an expression of the rebirth of the
soul with each amazing day. The song progresses from the unfolding wonderment of the beginning to a conclusion of
ecstatic praise and joy.
Voice
Moderate tempo q = 88
Moderate tempo q = 88
Organ
mf
mf
5
A mf espr.
I Thank You God for
A
3
3 3 3 3
3 3
3
p
p
“i thank You God for most this amazing” from COMPLETE POEMS: 1904-1962, by E. E. Cummings, edited by George J. Firmage,
is used with the permission of Liveright Publishing Corporation. Copyright © 1950, 1978, 1991 by the Trustees for the E. E. Cummings Trust.
Copyright © 1979 by George James Firmage.
Walker / Sacred Songs / I Thank You God

56
9
most this a - maz - ing day: for the leap - ing green - ly spir - its of trees and a
, e = e
a tempo (q = 88)
13 rit.
,
mf
blue true dream of sky; and for ev - ery - thing which is nat -ur
- al which is
rit. a tempo (q = 88)
B Faster q = 108
17 poco accel.
mf
in - fin - ite
which is yes, I Thank You God, I Thank You
poco accel. B Faster q = 108
f
e = e
, p lightly
Walker / Sacred Songs / I Thank You God
f
,

20
God, I Thank You God, I Thank You God for most this a-maz
- ing day.
23
26 C Same tempo
p
I
who have died am a -
C Same tempo
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
p
p
57
Walker / Sacred Songs / I Thank You God

58
29
(cresc.)
f
poco cresc.
live a - gain to - day.
And
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Solo
32 (cresc.)
this is the sun’s birth - day; this is the birth - day of life and
3
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3
3
(cresc.)
3
(cresc.)
35 (cresc.)
D
f
,
love and wings: and of the gay great hap - pen -ing
il - lim-i- ta- bly earth.
D
3
3
3
3 3
(cresc.)
f
3 3 3 3
Walker / Sacred Songs / I Thank You God
poco cresc.
poco cresc.

59
38
mf
I
mf
who have died am a - live a - gain to
3 3
3
3 3 3 3
3
*
-
day.
mf
41
I Thank You God.
poco accel.
poco accel.
45
(accel.)
Faster q =120
(accel.) E Faster q =120
E
3
3
3
3
3
3
p
How
3
3
* Cue-sized notes are an ossia for higher voices.
Walker / Sacred Songs / I Thank You God

60
48
should an - y hu - man be - ing
doubt
Quasi recitative
3
3
3
3
3
3 3 3
3
3
3
3
p
p
51
mp
You
How should tast - ing touch -ing
an - y hu - man mere- ly be-ing
mp
3 3 3 3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
mp
3
mp
54
F mf
doubt You How should tast - ing touch - ing
F
mf
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
3
3
3
mf
3
Quasi recitative
Walker / Sacred Songs / I Thank You God
mf

57
hear - ing see-ing
breath -ing
an - y hu - man mere- ly be - ing doubt You doubt
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
rit.
Slower, more freely
60
( mf )
un -im-ag-in- a- ble You lift- ed from the no of all noth - ing, doubt You
rit.
Slower, more freely
6
6
G Grandly q = 88
65 f
Now the ears of my ears a - wake.
Now the eyes of my eyes are
G Grandly q = 88
3 3 3
f
3 3 3
6
f
Walker / Sacred Songs / I Thank You God
61

62
68
o - pened. I Thank You God, I Thank You God, I Thank You God, I Thank You
,
3 3 3
3
3
71 H (Grandly q = 88)
( mf )
a - - wake,
H (Grandly q = 88)
mf
3 3 3 3
3 3 3
mf
74 ( mf )
o - pened
I Thank You God, I Thank You God,
3
Walker / Sacred Songs / I Thank You God
mf ,

77
I who have died am a - live a - gain to - day.
I (q = 88)
Solo
p
p
accel. poco a poco
80
mp cresc. poco a poco
I
accel. poco a poco
mp cresc. poco a poco
mp cresc. poco a poco
(accel.)
83 (cresc.)
live a - gain, am a - live a - gain to - day.
(accel.)
(cresc.)
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
I (q = 88)
p
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
(cresc.)
who have died am a - live a - gain, am a -
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Walker / Sacred Songs / I Thank You God
f
63

64
87
J
J
q = 120
f
q = 120
f
I
Thank You God, I Thank You God, I Thank You God, I Thank You
89
God, I Thank You God, I Thank You God, I Thank You God, I Thank You
91
p
God
for most this a, most this a - maz - ing day,
K
(q = 120)
f celebratory
p
3 3 3 3
3 3
cresc.
3
3
K
(q = 120)
f
Walker / Sacred Songs / I Thank You God
f

94
3
this day, this day.
3
3
98 rit. to end
I
Thank
You
*
God!
rit. to end
**
3
3
3 3 3 3 3
3
3
(rit.)
101
3
(rit.)
3
3
3 3
* Cue-sized notes are an ossia for higher voices.
**Cue-sized notes are an ossia, to be played if the singer chooses to perform the higher notes.
Walker / Sacred Songs / I Thank You God
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
65
4’00”

66
from Bethesda Evensong
The Lord’s Prayer
Gwyneth Walker
This is an extended (4-minute) and dramatic setting of The Lord’s Prayer. An unusual feature of this song is the insertion of
the Prayer of St. Francis into the text of The Lord’s Prayer. After the words, “as we forgive those who trespass against us,”
the vocalist sings “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.” The music continues through the Prayer of St. Francis
“where there is sadness, joy...” and then returns to The Lord’s Prayer, “and lead us not into temptation...” This return is the
climax of the work, with the voice rising to a powerful “Amen.”
q = 72
I
Organ
p dolce
p
6
10
p cantabile
Our
(I)
I
II
© Copyright 1992 by E. C. Schirmer Music Company, Inc.,
a division of ECS Publishing. www.ecspublishing.com
All rights reserved.
Fa
-
ther,

14
who art in heav - en, hal - low- ed be thy Name, they king - dom come
II
18
thy will be done, on earth as it is in
22
heav - - en,
on earth as it is in
67

68
26
heav’n.
Slightly faster q = 80
(I)
mp
II
mp
30 mp
Give us this day our dai - ly bread, and for - give us our tres - pass - es,
as
I
mp
34
we for- give those who tres - pass a - gainst us, who
II
Slightly faster q = 80

69
38
tres
- pass a - gainst
us, Our
41
Fa
- ther who art in heav’n.
45
rit.
a tempo (q = 80)
p quasi recitative
3 3
rit.
Lord
make me an in - stru- ment of your
a tempo (q = 80)
I
p

70
48
peace. Where there is ha - tred, let me sow love; where this is
p
51
in - ju - ry,
par - don; where there is an - ger,
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
accel. poco a poco
54
mp
peace; where there is doubt, faith; where this is
accel. poco a poco
mp
3 3 3 3
mp

57 (accel.)
mf
emp - ti - ness,
hope; where there is
(accel.)
59 Quickly, with excitement
dark - ness,
light; where there is
Quickly, with excitement
mf
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
mf
61
sad - ness,
joy,
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
71

72
molto rit. a tempo (q = 80)
,
63
joy, joy, joy. And
molto rit. a tempo (q = 80)
,
6
6 6 6 6 6
65
lead us not in - to temp - ta - tion, de - liv - er us from e - vil,
For
69 accel.
thine is the king - dom and the pow - er and the glo - ry for - ev - er and ev - er, and
accel.

72
(accel.)
ev
(accel.)
q = 144
- er, and ev - er, and ev - er, and ev - er, and ev - er, and ev - er,
q = 144
f
f
73
75
( f )
rit.
A - - - - - - - men.
rit.
f
f
78
,
q = 60
pp
,
A - - - - - - men.
q = 60
pp
pp
4’10”