Thou Shalt Know Him

Program Notes:

Mark Sirett is one of Canada’s leading choral composers, fully versed in the craft of choral writing and always bringing something original to his compositions and arrangements. Because of his longstanding work as Artistic Director of the Cantabile Choirs of Kingston, Ontario, Mark has a particularly strong catalogue of works for treble voices, many of which Elektra has performed.

Conductor Notes:

SSAA a cappella. This is a stunning homophonic work by a fine Canadian composer, notable for its simplicity and harmonic interest. Originally scored for SATB, the treble version is equally successful. We’ve used it as an evocative opener to an Advent concert.

Text:

Thou shalt know Him when he comes
not by any din of drums,
Nor his manners nor his airs,
nor by anything he wears.

Thou shalt know him when he comes,
not by his crown or by his gown,
But his coming known shall be
by the holy harmony which his coming makes in thee.

Thou shalt know him when he comes. Amen.