It was published in 1981 More Songs of the Spirit - Songs and Hymns of Renewal, Volume 2
attributed to David Palmer but without any other copyright information. It was
also included in:
The song feels like it should be from a musical, based on the videos on YouTube. However no other information about its origins are known, and CCLI's SongSelect does not list it.
If you have any more information about it please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.
When, oh when is he coming, the Redeemer?
When will we see him,
When, oh when will we see him, the Redeemer?
Chorus:
Come, oh come, from your kingdom up there,
from your kingdom up there above!
Come, oh come, to your people on earth,
to your people on earth bring love!
Emmanuel! Emmanuel! Emmanuel!
Long years a-waiting,
Many years here a-waiting the Redeemer!
Ready to greet him,
Always ready to meet him, the Redeemer!
Spare us from evil, from the clutches of evil,
O Redeemer!
Though we are sinners
We have known your forgiveness, O Redeemer!
- 20th Century Folk Hymnal Volume 2 published in 1975/6 - this says that it is copyright to Mayhew-McCrimmon Ltd
- Hymns Old and New with Supplement,1989 published by Kevin Mayhew Ltd - with some or all copyright owned by them (but it is not in Catholic Hymns Old and New 2009).
No in-print sources of the sheet music have been found: The only option is to
buy a second-hand version of the books listed above.
The unnamed tune, also by Palmer, has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of F the first few notes are D DD DEFE D DD DEFD D_. The verses are played with chords of Dm and C, switching to F et al for the chorus.
The unnamed tune, also by Palmer, has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of F the first few notes are D DD DEFE D DD DEFD D_. The verses are played with chords of Dm and C, switching to F et al for the chorus.
The song feels like it should be from a musical, based on the videos on YouTube. However no other information about its origins are known, and CCLI's SongSelect does not list it.
If you have any more information about it please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.
Downloads
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Examples
Small group with piano -possibly a professional recording
Massed choir with orchestra
Small choir, professional recording, piano accompaniment
Small group and congregation with keyboard and guitar - church service recording
Lyrics
When is he coming,When, oh when is he coming, the Redeemer?
When will we see him,
When, oh when will we see him, the Redeemer?
Chorus:
Come, oh come, from your kingdom up there,
from your kingdom up there above!
Come, oh come, to your people on earth,
to your people on earth bring love!
Emmanuel! Emmanuel! Emmanuel!
Long years a-waiting,
Many years here a-waiting the Redeemer!
Ready to greet him,
Always ready to meet him, the Redeemer!
Spare us from evil, from the clutches of evil,
O Redeemer!
Though we are sinners
We have known your forgiveness, O Redeemer!
This is also in 'Hymns Old and New with Supplement' ISBN 0 86209 142 X, published by Kevin Mayhew Ltd 1989, number 608 with all or some copyright with Kevin Mayhew. It also has a verse 3 - Spare us from evil, ....
ReplyDeleteWe used to sing this in primary school. Why it's stuck in my head at 4 am I'll never know.
ReplyDeleteI am looking to find a copy of the sheet music for this ? does anyone know where I might find it please?
ReplyDeleteWhat is this hymns official title? Ive made a playlist of my favourite hymns on Spotify and sadly I can't find this one. This would be number 1 in my favourites as well
ReplyDeleteCCLI has this as no. 740754 under the title "When is he coming", and shows the copyright as © 1976 Kevin Mayhew Ltd
ReplyDeleteDear Editor at GodSongs.net, Dear All,
ReplyDeleteWhen is He Coming is from the Folk Oratorio, "Holy Boy", by David Palmer. David was a teacher in the Croydon area and many people, especially those who went to Catholic school in the South in the 70s/80s and thereabouts, remember him and the oratorio.
Secondhand copies, seemingly mostly from county music library disposals, can sometimes be found on ebay, Amazon, workdbooks, abebooks etc.
ISBN 10: 0861750780
ISBN 13: 9780861750788
Publisher: EMI Music Publishing Ltd, 1979
This is a listing of one recording (hopefully these links work)
https://www.discogs.com/release/8425617-Croydon-Catholic-Schools-Holy-Boy-A-Folk-Oratorio-by-David-JPalmer?srsltid=AfmBOoq5ElLt0Md-EDYaQNXbD2ZCmxI1JA4PsNuCKVLpyBsuUqYazf4_
David Palmer’s son, Dom, has a facebook page and, although not much updated, will no doubt spark memories
https://www.facebook.com/holyboyoratorio
CDs were re-recorded in 2012 and maybe even more recently.
It made it on to Radio 4 in 1979
https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/06d34e4784ce4f10a3b422db2b1d7be5
Some other well-liked songs form the oratorio include a setting of The Lord is my Shepherd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG6StxUs0LE and In the Darkness.