A Voice Cries Out

This is a hymn for Advent. The words are based on Isaiah 40:1-11.

It was written by American Roman Catholic priest and liturgical composer, Jan Michael Joncas (b 1951) and first published by OCP Publications in 1981.   Copyright is owned by the Jan Michael Joncas Trust.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Joncas. This has a 3/4 time signature.  When scored in the key of Em, the first few notes of the melody are B B_ B c B B B A B A_  with accompanying chords   E / D / E / D.    However note that only verses 3 and 5, and 2 and 4, share the same melodies.

 

Image adapt. from Saint John the Baptist Preaching, Luca Giordano (-1705).

  

Downloads

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Included in a choir song-book of Joncas' works

Buy sheet music from MusicNotes

Examples

Small group with piano-led band:

Choir with band:

Singer with Midi-keyboard:

Singer with keyboard and flute:

Official recording:

Rehearsal track, singer with light keyboard, words on-screen:

Singer with guitar:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

1 Console my people, the ones dear to me, speak to the heart of Jerusalem ...

Chorus:
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord!
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
Make straight a highway for God!

2 Ev'ry valley is made a plain, ev'ry mountain is leveled

3. A voice shouts: "Cry!" O what shall I cry? All flesh is like grass and its flowers ...

4. Zion, shout from the mountain top, lift up your voice O Jerusalem ...

5. The Lord will appear as a shepherd, holding his lambs in his arms ...

See more ...

• Hymns for Advent
• Hymns based on Isaiah 40

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY 1 Console my people, the ones dear to me, speak to the heart of Jerusalem:
the time of your mourning is ended now,
the Lord of life will come.

Chorus:
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for the Lord!
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
Make straight a highway for God!

2 Ev'ry valley is made a plain,
ev'ry mountain is leveled
the glory of God shall then be revealed,
and the nations will sing in praise.

3. A voice shouts: "Cry!" O what shall I cry?
All flesh is like grass and its flowers:
the grass may wither, the flower may fade,
but the Word of the Lord is forever.

4. Zion, shout from the mountain top,
lift up your voice O Jerusalem,
and say to the people of God's own land,
"Behold, behold your God!"

5. The Lord will appear as a shepherd,
holding his lambs in his arms,
keeping his flock so close to his heart
leading them all, old and young.