When Shiloh Came

for SATB, divisi

by Randall Donald

Audio sample generated by Cantamus.app

(Choral SATB, divisi)

When Shiloh Came is a Christmas poem by Marie Radcliffe Butler, published in 1877, associating the coming of the baby Jesus with initiating the hope of the Gospels.

The birth of this work started with notes of E, F and A. Starting as a minimalist, dissonant piece, it turned out to be something more. It still has some of those characteristics based on what the text relayed musically. There is a hint of Tintinnabulation as well as close seconds that provide a mysterious quality. Attention to the dynamics is important as not all parts are equal. All voices have divisi parts except the tenor given the scarcity in some choirs. Feel free to extend the longer notes and space between phrases for effect.

WHEN SHILOH CAME.

A light in the darkness—a wonderful thing—
A babe in the manger, the heir of a king.
From the palace of God came a guest in the night
To a manger and darkness, and sorrow and blight.
The seed of a woman the brightest and best,
The blossom of ages, the promise of rest.

— MARIE RADCLIFFE BUTLER (1877)

Vocal Ranges:
Soprano: C4-E5,
Alto: C4-C5,
Tenor: A3-E4,
Bass: B2-C4

ISWC: T3325111119
ISMN: 979-0-9025253-9-8

SKU: RDD-010 Categories: Choral Music, Mixed Voices

Instrumentation:	A Cappella
Language:	English
Sacred or Secular:	Sacred
Season or Event:	Christmas
Voicing:	SATB
Descriptive Tags:	Baby, Christmas, Light

$2.00

This title is available in print or for immediate download. For both options, there is a minimum required quantity of 8 copies for choral titles. Please support self-publishing composers by ordering the quantity according to the number of singers in the ensemble that will perform the work.

Print orders are printed on demand and shipped by our printing partner, and can be expected to be processed within a few days of the order. Please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] to follow up.

Choose Format

Clear

Quantity

Explore More Music…

	Title	Voicing	Duration	Language	Composer
	Beyond Grief for Mixed Choir (SATB) with Soprano Soloist GTT-022	SATB	2' 3"	English	Thornett, Gordon	Info/Listen/Buy »	This setting is ideally suited for a good chamber choir with a high soprano soloist. Julie Myers’ beautiful poem suggests to the composer a journey from darkness to light, from despair to hope, and this is reflected in the music, which should be performed simply, but with expressiveness and conviction.
This setting is ideally suited for a good chamber choir with a high soprano soloist. Julie Myers’ beautiful poem suggests to the composer a journey from darkness to light, from despair to hope, and this is reflected in the music, which should be performed simply, but with expressiveness and conviction.
	Christmas Candles for SATB Choir (with optional children's part) GTT-012	SATB ⋅ Unison	4'50"	English	Thornett, Gordon	Info/Listen/Buy »	This light-hearted holiday song was commissioned by a local community chorus, one of whose members wrote the words. I was asked to include a part for children’s choir, and I understand everyone enjoyed taking part. It has a simple message – to chase away the gloom, and spread light and happiness to all at Christmas […]
This light-hearted holiday song was commissioned by a local community chorus, one of whose members wrote the words. I was asked to include a part for children’s choir, and I understand everyone enjoyed taking part. It has a simple message – to chase away the gloom, and spread light and happiness to all at Christmas […]
	Come To Me In Dreams for SATB choir CME-013	SATB	6'	English	Mallonee, Caroline	Info/Listen/Buy »	This poignant setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti is dedicated to the memory of Michael Friedman, a dear friend, songwriter, lyricist, and composer, who died too young. The opening two notes (C#-D), at first soft and pensive, lengthen to a three-note motive (C#-D-F#) that is woven into the texture of the six-minute piece, a […]
This poignant setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti is dedicated to the memory of Michael Friedman, a dear friend, songwriter, lyricist, and composer, who died too young. The opening two notes (C#-D), at first soft and pensive, lengthen to a three-note motive (C#-D-F#) that is woven into the texture of the six-minute piece, a […]
	Deep Peace to You for mixed choir and piano WCL-005	SATB	4'20"	English	Campbell, William	Info/Listen/Buy »	Deep peace of the running wave to you.Deep peace of the flowing air to you.Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.Deep peace of the shining stars to you.Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you. (Words adapted from an ancient Gaelic blessing)
Deep peace of the running wave to you.Deep peace of the flowing air to you.Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.Deep peace of the shining stars to you.Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you. (Words adapted from an ancient Gaelic blessing)
	The Children’s Hour for actor, soprano solo, SATB choir and Piano ASA-001	SATB	12'	English	Roque Santana, Alberto	Info/Listen/Buy »	The Children’s Hour is a setting of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem of the same name (first published in 1860) composed by Alberto Roque Santana for the Bowdoin Chamber Choir during the summer of 2011. The work is written for an actor, soprano solo, mixed choir and piano, and the composer writes that “the weight of the […]
The Children’s Hour is a setting of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem of the same name (first published in 1860) composed by Alberto Roque Santana for the Bowdoin Chamber Choir during the summer of 2011. The work is written for an actor, soprano solo, mixed choir and piano, and the composer writes that “the weight of the […]
	The Lone Wild Bird for SATB chorus and piano EHE-001	SATB	2'30"	English	Hope, Emily	Info/Listen/Buy »	This sweet and gentle setting of a classic Southern Harmony hymn features the Alto section in its first verse, then opens out into a joyful depiction of the sensation of flight. The second verse features birdcalls in the piano accompaniment. Recording by First Readings Project. Find the SSAA version of this piece here.
This sweet and gentle setting of a classic Southern Harmony hymn features the Alto section in its first verse, then opens out into a joyful depiction of the sensation of flight. The second verse features birdcalls in the piano accompaniment. Recording by First Readings Project. Find the SSAA version of this piece here.
	The Noble Art of Music a fanfare for SATB chorus a cappella SWM-017	SATB	2'	English	Kaulkin, Michael	Info/Listen/Buy »	The Noble Art of Music sets two Martin Luther quotations as a bright, uplifting choral fanfare celebrating the joy of singing. Commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Artists, it unfolds in clear panels—urgent, then stately, before opening into a broad final statement—making a crisp, welcoming opener for almost any program. “As long as we live, […]
The Noble Art of Music sets two Martin Luther quotations as a bright, uplifting choral fanfare celebrating the joy of singing. Commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Artists, it unfolds in clear panels—urgent, then stately, before opening into a broad final statement—making a crisp, welcoming opener for almost any program. “As long as we live, […]
	The Patience of Ordinary Things SATB with Divisi MGN-005	SATB	2'50"	English	Growden, Mark	Info/Listen/Buy »	Music by Mark Growden Text by Pat Schneider THE PATIENCE OF ORDINARY THINGS by Pat Schneider It is a kind of love, is it not? How the cup holds the tea, How the chair stands sturdy and foursquare, How the floor receives the bottoms of shoes Or toes. How soles of feet know Where they’re […]
Music by Mark Growden Text by Pat Schneider THE PATIENCE OF ORDINARY THINGS by Pat Schneider It is a kind of love, is it not? How the cup holds the tea, How the chair stands sturdy and foursquare, How the floor receives the bottoms of shoes Or toes. How soles of feet know Where they’re […]
	The Sleepy Shepherd Boy for children's choir and piano or orchestra GTT-006	SA ⋅ Unison	4'35"	English	Thornett, Gordon	Info/Listen/Buy »	Written for the CBSO Children’s Chorus, and first performed by them in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, this light-hearted piece describes a day-dreaming shepherd boy, who suddenly finds himself drawn into the Christmas story. It has also been performed by a youth chorus in Liverpool, accompanied by the Royal Liverpool […]
Written for the CBSO Children’s Chorus, and first performed by them in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, this light-hearted piece describes a day-dreaming shepherd boy, who suddenly finds himself drawn into the Christmas story. It has also been performed by a youth chorus in Liverpool, accompanied by the Royal Liverpool […]
	Winds of May for mixed choir and piano MBE-003	SATB	3'	English	Byrne, Madelyn	Info/Listen/Buy »	“Winds of May” took First Place in the Morningside College Choral Competition. It is one of two settings by Madelyn Byrne of poems from James Joyce’s Chamber Music. The other setting, “Rain Has Fallen“, is also available from Swirly Music. The composer writes: Chamber Music, is an early work by James Joyce. It is a […]
“Winds of May” took First Place in the Morningside College Choral Competition. It is one of two settings by Madelyn Byrne of poems from James Joyce’s Chamber Music. The other setting, “Rain Has Fallen“, is also available from Swirly Music. The composer writes: Chamber Music, is an early work by James Joyce. It is a […]