O God Our Help In Ages Past
This well-known hymn tune dates back to the Baroque period, and was used by composers like Bach and Buxtehude even before it was sung in churches with the text "O God, Our Help in Ages Past". The text is about time; our fleeting time and God’s presence throughout time.
Time is portrayed with a bell motive chiming the hour, a lovely countermelody, the constancy of the singing bells, and then the pealing celebratory bells for the final stanza. Besides the varied handbell techniques in the piece, the lovely additions of optional flute and cello add foundational sound and gravity to the piece. "O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, still be our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home!" The flute and cello parts are included in the Full Score.