CanticoCantico · Store
Try Cantico

Come, Christians, Join to Sing (melodía española MADRID)

Tradicional español (MADRID) · C. H. Bateman

Score

Read it and listen to it right here. It can't be downloaded — to sing it with your choir, use it in Cantico.

History

Come, Christians, Join to Sing (melodía española MADRID)

The tune MADRID is Spanish in origin and appeared in print in 1824. The text “Come, Christians, join to sing” was written by Christian Henry Bateman (1813–1889) and published in 1843, with an “Alleluia, Amen” as its refrain.

About the piece

A hymn inviting everyone to sing the praises of Christ together, with an easy refrain that brings the whole assembly in. This edition carries the melody with its text, in 21 measures.

How to prepare it

The melody is short and comfortable, E♭4–C♯5 (a minor seventh). The “Alleluia, Amen” refrain is what the assembly will remember first, so teach it well at the start so they join early. Mind the dotted rhythm and don't lose the pulse between verses. Since the piece is short and repetitive, a good resource is to sing the first verse with one voice (a soloist or a section) and bring the whole choir in on the refrain, which adds variety without adding difficulty.

When to use it

An excellent entrance and closing hymn for Eastertide and Ordinary Time.