Love at Home
New musical setting by Fen Frehner for SATB and optional piano
Lyrics by John Hugh McNaughtonBackground
This setting attempts to emphasize the key words rhythmically and to use embellishments for the words “love” and “home”. Effort was made to give each part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) interesting or fun parts to sing. Altos, in particular, sometimes get the short end of the stick as far as having interesting parts in many hymns and choral pieces, so they (and the tenors, to a slightly lesser degree) get significant parts in this song.
Originating from a hymn, there are not many directives provided, but this song is well-suited for being sung with a lot of dynamics and rubato. Most phrases ending with melismas (multiple notes for one syllable) can usually be slowed slightly and in some cases, paused very slightly afterwards (examples: the end of the first three lines, the end of both phrases on the 4th line, and the end of each phrase in the chorus). The 3rd ending is more dramatic than the first two endings.
The 6.875"x10.5" choral booklet sheet music may be purchased above by selecting the desired quantity, clicking the "Add to Cart" button, and following the checkout process. A low-resolution version of the sheet music may be downloaded below. The purchased sheet music includes an optional piano accompaniment and also cover-page artwork that is not included in the free PDF file.
If you would like to purchase the audio recording (vocals by Matthew Curtis, piano by Fen Frehner) or accompaniment used in the sheet-music video, please contact me. Excellent rehearsal tracks are available above.
Lyrics
1. There is beauty all aroundWhen there’s love at home;There is joy in ev’ry soundWhen there’s love at home.Peace and plenty here abide,Smiling sweet on ev’ry side.Time doth softly, sweetly glide2. In the cottage there is joyWhen there’s love at home;Hate and envy ne’er annoyWhen there’s love at home.Roses bloom beneath our feet;All the earth’s a garden sweet,Making life a bliss completeWhen there’s love at home.
3. Kindly heaven smiles aboveWhen there’s love at home;All the world is filled with loveWhen there’s love at home.Sweeter sings the brooklet by;Brighter beams the azure sky.Oh, there’s One who smiles on highWhen there’s love at home.
Text: John Hugh McNaughton, 1829–1891