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