This edition was prepared by Jonathan Goodliffe — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
If we believe that Jesus died
Staff Notation • Sacred, Anthems, Verse anthems
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If we believe that Jesus died by William Boyce — Lyrics
If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
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About If we believe that Jesus died
William Boyce's anthem If we believe that Jesus died sets a profoundly comforting passage from 1 Thessalonians 4. The music opens with a gentle, homophonic texture, reflecting the tenderness of the text’s opening statement about belief in Christ’s resurrection. The SATB voices weave together, building in intensity as the text describes the Lord’s descent from heaven with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God. Boyce's setting rises to a climax of assurance and hope, as the living and the dead are united with Christ. The concluding injunction to comfort one another is realised in a final, radiant affirmation. This English text, drawn from scripture, offers solace and encouragement on the promise of eternal life.
