About the Work
“Lord, Let at Last Thine Angels Come” takes its text from the third and final stanza of Martin Schalling’s chorale, “Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr,” subtitled “for the dying” by the writer and translated by Catherine Winkworth. As a stirring portrayal of Christian confidence and triumph in the face of death, the beloved hymn is frequently used at funerals, with the third verse famously serving as the emotional conclusion to Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion. The beginning of this modern a cappella setting hearkens back to the original, anonymous chorale tune. Under the sopranos’ somewhat timid prayer, the other voices intone with quiet conviction: “Lord, at last come bear me home. I die unfearing.” From there, the piece grows in joy and confidence, culminating in the powerful pronouncement and plea that Jesus wake the body from death’s sleep so that “these mine eyes with joy may see … Thy glorious face, my Savior and my fount of grace.” As this exuberance resolves to quiet contentment, the chorale tune returns with a final prayer and promise: “Lord Jesus Christ, my prayer attend, and I will praise Thee without end.”
