Comfort Ye

Comfort Ye. Part of the “Words of Hope” Monthly Blog Hop

The words “Comfort Ye” have been running through my head the last couple of weeks. Over and over they appear, every time I feel stressed or behind the curve or at a loss for what to do next. Till recently everything in my daily life was under control. And then I tried to add one more activity into my plans. It was something that I really needed to do, but had been putting off.

Boy, did I overextend myself! I realized that I went from happy and content and under control with homeschooling and family to behind and scrambling and unsure. All because I added in that one activity. Now that it is complete I can hopefully work my way back to the balance and stability I had before.

And so these last few weeks I hear, “Comfort Ye.”

Not just any “Comfort Ye,” but the phrase out of Handel’s Messiah. This is perhaps my most favorite piece of music ever. I have listened to it on CD, gone to concerts and sing alongs, and even played cello in orchestras that performed it. I love every single part of the Messiah, but especially the “Comfort Ye” movement.

Here is a fantastic explanation of the movement and a short concert:

And here is a wonderful explanation of the concept of text painting used so well by Handel:

Throughout Messiah, Handel employs a technique called text painting. Classical composers often wrote their melodies in a way that mimics the lyrics or libretto of the piece. For instance, if the lines of text are describing a bird rising higher in the sky as it flies, the music and melody will increase in pitch. If the lines of text are a whisper, the music and melody will be written very softly and quietly. You’ll see an example of this in this excerpt when the tenor sings, “Every valley.”

Learn the Lyrics
Comfort Ye
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every year, I take the kids to a you-sing-it version here in town that is fantastic. It is completely you-sing-it. No soloists on stage. Everyone sings everything they can. My kids love it and for me it is an opportunity to cleanse my soul. This last season, however, we did not go and I think I still regret that decision.

I need those words. They are my words of hope. Comfort Ye.