Hills Are Bare In Bethlehem
"The Hills are Bare at Bethlehem" is an arrangement of the shape note hymn, PROSPECT from Walker's Southern Harmony (1835). It can be used during Pentecost, stewardship, or for general worship, in addition to Christmas, under its alternate hymn titles "Lone, Wild Bird" and "Creating God, Your Fingers Trace". Sparse chord voicing, parallel intervals and swing bass, punctuated by effervescent mart lifts enhance the early American feel of the piece. The optional violin part, reminiscent of an Appalachian fiddle, doubles the melody and then sports a moving counter melody in the final section. Flowing LV passages in the middle section support the lovely, traditional tune, and the piece culminates with a grand, majestic ending. 82 measures in length, "The Hills are Bare in Bethlehem" is scored in F Major and C Major.