chart-o-tron - Middlesex Activist Band

Chester

name

Chester

category

Rude Bridge

structure

16-bar hymn.

perfnotes

The chart has all four parts for four-part harmony. Everyone can play the melody in unison, or some can play the melody and a few people can cover the three harmony parts.

A keyboard reduction with all four parts is included, with lyrics to the first verse.

The mp3 file has the hymn once in unison, and then a second time in four-part harmony.

description

Hymn. New England's anti-tyranny anthem of the Revolutionary War, published in Boston by William Billings in 1778.

This tune is perfect for anti-tyranny events in or near old Unitarian and Congregationalist churches in New England, Revolutionary War historic sites, and anywhere there's resistance to tyranny.

key

C

charts

• Chester 01 C Treble Clef.pdf
• Chester 02 Bb Instruments.pdf
• Chester 03 Eb Instruments.pdf
• Chester 04 Bass Clef.pdf
• Chester 05 Keyboard Vocals.pdf
• Chester.mp3

lyric

Chester
by William Billings

Let tyrants shake their iron rod,
And Slav’ry clank her galling chains,
We fear them not, we trust in God,
New England’s God forever reigns.
Howe and Burgoyne and Clinton too,
With Prescot and Cornwallis join’d,
Together plot our Overthrow,
In one Infernal league combin’d.
When God inspir’d us for the fight,
Their ranks were broke, their lines were forc’d,
Their ships were Shatter’d in our sight,
Or swiftly driven from our Coast.
The Foe comes on with haughty Stride;
Our troops advance with martial noise,
Their Vet’rans flee before our Youth,
And Gen’rals yield to beardless Boys.
What grateful Off’ring shall we bring?
What shall we render to the Lord?
Loud Halleluiahs let us Sing,
And praise his name on ev’ry Chord.

notes

Arrangement Creative Commons Zero CC0 by Rude Bridge

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