Description
Despite the name, this arrangement is actually a medley of “Hark, All Ye Nations” and the second verse of “I Hope They Call Me on a Mission.” The melody lines follow the original works exactly (until the ending) and are all in unison. This is a great option for youth and children to sing. Musically, there are a lot of things I like about this arrangement and a few things I don’t.
The combination of the two songs is done well. The piano introduction juxtaposes the memorable bass line from the primary song with the melody and harmonies of the hymn. This continues throughout the arrangement, with the jaunty bass line played under the hymn, while the primary song is accompanied by static chords. The use of the second verse of “I Hope They Call me on a Mission” works well, although the Teachers Quorum I taught this to didn’t know the words. (Here’s a printable I made for them—use it in conjunction with a hymnbook.)
The ending (coda) didn’t work for my Teachers Quorum. We didn’t have much time to rehearse it, the melody does a weird thing, and the time signature changes, so I decided to make things easier and I cut out measures 52–57. (This also made it fit on three pages instead of four.) There is an abrupt key change in measure 36 that I don’t love. Also, during the verses (m. 16–19 in verse one) the accompaniment drops the melody and my Teachers felt unsupported and unsure.
Overall, I think this arrangement is worth singing. It’s free, it’s easy, the youth like it, and most of it is well-written. It was a finalist in the 2013 Church music submission contest, for what that’s worth. I recommend it, with those few reservations.
Reviewer: Jessi Vandagriff
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