Welcome, Happy Morning
Introducing a new worship song for Easter. Welcome, Happy Morning is an old latin text Venantius Fortunatus from around 590 AD. It was translated and adapted in The Lutheran Hymnal in 1941. I mostly used that translation, but I updated a few phrases to better match the modern ear. Nevertheless, it is a meaty text not often heard in modern Easter music.
Musically, I went for more of a reflective tone. Think of this as the feeling following a huge celebration: "We are never going to forget how amazing this day was!" Although it may sound like an unlikely combination, I was blending traditional German hymnody with Andrew Lloyd Webber-like ballad concepts. The optional violin part does really complete some of the harmonies and is worthwhile if possible.
Let me know what you think. -Josh