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And may the promise of Advent be yours this day and always.

LEWIS-TOWN

Composer: William Billings

William Billings (b. 1746; d. 1800) was an American choral composer, thought by some to be the father of American choral music. His father died when William was 14, and he was forced to drop all formal education and take up tanning to get by. With no formal musical training he began to compose, and his songs were well-loved and traveled quickly. However, due to unsubstantial copyright laws, Billings received hardly a penny from the publication of his music. After a period of fame and prosperity, his music was forgotten, and his last decade was one of decline. Married with six children, he died in poverty, though his music would be resurrected after his death and sung to this day. Laura de Jong Go to person page >

Tune Information

Title: LEWIS-TOWN
Composer: William Billings
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Incipit: 51321 53223 12512
Key: g minor
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Arrangements

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations

  • The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series Volume 30: General: L - Lle
    Composer/Editors Herbert Gotsch; Alfred V. Fedak
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1984) pp. 27

Organ Solo

  • The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series Volume 30: General: L - Lle
    Composer/Editors Herbert Gotsch; Alfred V. Fedak
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1984) pp. 25

Instances

Instances (1 - 6 of 6)
Text InfoAudio

Glory to God #162

Text InfoAudio

Glory to God #651

RitualSong #787

Audio

Small Church Music #5320

The Covenant Hymnal #475

Worship (3rd ed.) #748

Include 1 pre-1979 instance
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