The Song of the Church

My Lord, What a Morning

David von Kampen

David von Kampen’s SATB setting of this anthem offers a meditative and expressive interpretation of the song while remaining true to the original style and tune. The piece begins in unison, with all voices singing the first “My Lord, what a morning,” signaling the first “call” of the refrain. When the voices break into harmony for the second “My Lord, what a morning,” the presence of the full chorus is evident, illustrating the “response” to the first line.

Each of the three verses also begins in unison, signaling again the “call” at the beginning of each verse before the “response.” The final three lines of each verse are the same each time, and they are treated with both unison and harmonic textures. The piano accompaniment contains flowing eighth-note lines and rhythmic chord progressions.