Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1919

Average_duration

:

2:53

"The truth sent from above" is a traditional English carol arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1919. The carol is believed to have originated in Herefordshire, England, and was first published in 1837 in a collection of carols called "Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern." The carol is written in four verses, each with a refrain that repeats the opening line, "This is the truth sent from above." The text tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and the message of salvation that he brings to the world. Vaughan Williams' arrangement of the carol is for four-part choir and organ. The piece begins with a simple organ introduction, followed by the choir singing the first verse in unison. The second verse is sung by the choir in four-part harmony, with the organ providing a gentle accompaniment. The third verse features a solo tenor singing the melody, with the choir providing a soft background harmony. The final verse returns to four-part choir, with the organ providing a more elaborate accompaniment. The piece is characterized by Vaughan Williams' use of modal harmonies and simple, folk-like melodies. The arrangement is relatively straightforward, with the focus on the text and the beauty of the choral singing. The piece is often performed during the Christmas season in churches and concert halls throughout the English-speaking world. "The truth sent from above" was first performed by the choir of St. Mary's Church in Primrose Hill, London, in 1919. The piece has since become a beloved part of the English choral tradition and is often included in Christmas concerts and services.

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