Find Us Faithful

Grade Level 3

Year: 2008

Type: Selection

Composer: Dorothy Gates

Program Notes:

This arrangement of “Find Us Faithful” deliberately nods to Ottorino Respighi and “The Appian Way” from “The Pines of Rome.”  The song “Find us Faithful” beautifully depicts the journey of faith, and the words align themselves perfectly with Respighi’s vision of a musical journey or pilgrimage.

As humans we are faithless creatures, yet we are asked by God to be faithful.  The difficulty in this request is depicted by dissonance in places.  There are hints at the tune “Pilgrims” along the way.  The journey may sometimes be difficult and we may bear the scars of battle but ultimately our journey culminates in hope and triumph:

Jesus shall conquer, lift up the strain!

Evil shall perish and righteousness shall reign.

                            (Albert Orsborn)

American Instrumental Ensemble Series (AIES/ABES)