Peter Bloesch Listen

Choral ~ Holiday ~ with Keyboard



“Jesus Christ the Apple Tree”

(An original setting of the 18th-century text)



SOUND CLIP   /   WATCH VIDEO ON VIMEO   /   SCORE SAMPLE

SCORING:  SATB (some divisi), acc. by piano

DURATION:  ca. 3:20   —   DIFFICULTY:  3/5   —   PAGES IN PDF SCORE:  11

HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER   —   PDF:  $50 (for all the copies you need)



DESCRIPTION

Written in the style of Appalachian folk music, this original carol has a haunting melody that is presented in a strophic fashion. Like the poem itself, my piece is uncomplicated, yet stirs within us a sense of longing. 

Although this text is usually associated with Christmas, this piece would also be suitable for performance year-round.

TEXT INFO

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree

Anonymous 18th-century text

COMPLETE TEXT:

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.

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.

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.

I'm weary with my former toil,
Here I will sit and rest a while:
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

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.

Watch video below!