Composition Details
- Composed by: Andrew Carter
- Published by: Oxford University Press
- Cat No: W156
- Canadian Work: No
Performed in Concert
In Collections
Conductor Notes:
The most famous setting of the text, of course, is by Elizabeth Poston for mixed choir a cappella. Carter’s charming setting his own original music. Not strictly a Christmas text, we have performed this in a Christmas concert. For choir and harp or piano.
1. The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree.
2. His beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne’er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.
3. For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see
‘Tis found in Christ the apple tree.
4. I’m weary with my former toil,
Here I will sit and rest awhile:
Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.
5. This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.